What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?
Many people with mental health problems qualify for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). This means they get extra money each month on top of their regular income.
The information on this page is from the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Factsheet (542 kb) ![[pdf]](http://www.rethink.org/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif){kind=icon}
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit for people with disabilities who need help with their personal care, need supervision and/or need help with getting around. 
DLA can be paid on top of Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance and other benefits and will not reduce the amount you get.
In some cases getting an award of DLA can actually increase the amount you get in other benefits. You can also receive DLA and be in work.
Who can claim DLA?
You can claim DLA after you have needed help for three months and are likely to need help for a further 6 months. You have to be between 16 and 65 years of age.
You need to telephone 0800 882200 and ask for a Disability Living Allowance claim form or contact your local social security office.
Alternatively you can now apply on-line or download a DLA application form from the Government DirectGov website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011925
Filling in the DLA claim form
It is important when you fill in the claim form that you remember that the person reading it in the benefits office will probably have no experience of severe mental illness; for example, they may not understand why someone with a mental illness can't cook a meal.
Describing the effects of your condition
Many of the questions ask you to give further information about any difficulties you may have completing the tasks. This can be difficult to do.
Using abstract terms does not describe the help that you need. For example, saying that you are depressed does not tell the person deciding the claim whether you can cook a meal. It is much better to explain how this affects your daily life, such as:
"I get very tired as a result of the medication I take and tend to fall asleep while doing routine tasks like cooking, which is dangerous."
"I need to have someone with me most of the time because I am frightened of being on my own.”
Medical examinations
Very occasionally, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), who decide whether or not to award you the benefit, may wish to send a medical examiner to examine you.
Because your condition may change from day to day, or because you might misrepresent your need for help, it is important for your carer or a friend that knows you to be present at the examination to make sure that the medical examiner is not misled.
Getting help with claiming for DLA
You may be more successful with your claim if you have some experienced help filling out the forms.
A mental health advocate or a local advice agency may be able to help. Rethink's Advice and Information Service staff will try to help you find someone to assist and also be able to answer any questions about your claim.
