Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is a tax free benefit designed to help people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities, who may need help with the costs of looking after a child.
This government support can be claimed for children by their parents.
The Christmas and New Year's holiday payment dates for DLA have been confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions.
What is DLA?
Children's Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free payment consisting of two sections. The child may be eligible for one or both of the components.
The weekly rate for the care component's lower end is £26.90, middle £68.10, and the highest £101.75.
The weekly rate for the mobility component's lower end is £26.90 and the highest £71.
Adults can no longer apply for DLA, they instead apply for alternatives Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance, depending on your age.
Who is eligible?
DLA is payable if:
You are claiming DLA on behalf of a disabled person under the age of 16 or were born before April 8, 1948.
The PIP is available to anyone over 16 who applies who requires special attention or has trouble walking. You also need to be in one of the following countries when you make your claim: England, Wales, an EEA member state, or Switzerland.
Family members of the armed forces are among the exceptions.
If you are of state pension age and meet the eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for Attendance Allowance (unless you may only have 12 months or fewer to live).
The eligibility requirements are that you have a physical disability (such as blindness), a mental disability (such as learning difficulties), or both. The severity of your disability makes it necessary for you to have supervision or help taking care of yourself for at least six months in order to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
There are two distinct rates for Disability Allowance, and the amount you receive is determined by the degree of care that your impairment requires.
If you're both eligible, you might receive £68.10 or £101.75 each week for personal care if you're impaired either intellectually or physically, and older than the state pension age.
It does not cover mobility needs.
When does DLA get paid at Christmas time?
DLA and PIP is paid every four weeks usually, on Tuesdays.
Attendance Allowance is paid every four weeks on a Wednesday.
Claimants typically receive payment ahead of a bank holiday if the payment date falls on one, and then receive payment as usual.
Those expecting payments on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or 27 December should expect to receive payments on December 22.
Your bank or building society account receives payments for all benefits, pensions, and allowances.
How to claim
In order to apply for DLA and Attendance Allowance, you must complete the claim form.
It's a similar process for PIP.
In order to apply for PIP, you need to call one of the PIP new claims phone lines, where you'll be sent a form that asks about your condition.
You will need to complete and return the form and you might need to have an assessment, if more information is needed.
