Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is for claims made before the disabled person’s 65th birthday.
After their 65th birthday, they can only claim Attendance Allowance.
Disability Living Allowance has two components: the mobility component at two rates and the care component at three rates. The disabled person can receive any rate of the mobility component plus any rate of the care component. Attendance Allowance has just two rates which are the equivalent of the middle and highest rates of DLA care component.
The care component of Disability Living Allowance can be paid for disabled children from 3 months old. The mobility component can only be paid for a child from 3 years old (higher rate) or from 5 years old (lower rate).
Both DLA and Attendance Allowance are benefits for the disabled person. However for a carer to claim financial help as a carer, the disabled person usually has to be receiving either Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rates of DLA care component.
There is no reason why a disabled person, receiving Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance cannot also be a carer for another disabled person and claim financial help as a carer. For instance a couple who are both disabled will

 

DLA in depth:-

www.direct.gov.uk

The above website contains all the information you will need about DLA. As mentioned above, DLA is not for the carer, but for the person you care for. However, you can assist the person you care for in applying for DLA. DLA forms can appear quite complex to compete and there are services such as Wirral Citizens Advice Bureau and local One Stop Shops who will be able to assist in the completion of the form.

Attendance Allowance in depth:-

www.direct.gov.uk

Attendance allowance is similar to DLA, however, attendance allowance is for people making a claim who are over 65. The above site will give you all the current, up to date information about attendance allowance, how to apply for it and eligibility information.

For more information about disability benefits, contact:

Wirral Welfare Rights Unit.
Tel: 0151 666 4570 between 9.30 and 12.30 or between 2 and 4 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

In person: call in at the Conway Building One Stop Shop on Conway St in Birkenhead (opposite Argos), between 9.30 and 12.30, or between 2 and 4 on Mondays Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Post: Wirral Welfare Rights Unit, Social Services, FREEPOST, Birkenhead CH41 1AB

e-mail: wbau.sservices@wirral.gov.uk