Overview
Please note: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a new benefit that is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for eligible working age people aged 16 to 64, even if they have an indefinite or lifetime award of DLA.
You can find further information on Personal Independence Payment in our Personal Independence Payment information guide
New claims for DLA
You can only make a new claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if you’re claiming for a child under 16 – this is known as DLA for children. Anyone aged 16-64 must apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead of DLA.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after an eligible child who:
- is under 16
- has difficulties walking, and/or, needs more looking after than a child of the same age.
- They must have had these difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them to last for at least 6 months. If they’re terminally ill (i.e not expected to live more than 6 months), they don’t need to have had these difficulties for 3 months.
Eligibility and components
DLA is a tax free benefit and is made up of two components. The child might qualify for one or both components. You might get a letter saying the child needs an assessment to check their eligibility.
DLA is paid every four weeks
Care Component
The rate the child gets depends on the level of looking after they need e.g:
- lowest rate – help for some of the day or night
- middle rate – frequent help or constant supervision during the day; prolonged or repeated help or supervision at night; or someone to help while they’re on dialysis
- highest rate – Help or supervision throughout both day and night, or they’re terminally ill.
Weekly rate
Lowest £23.20
Middle £58.70
Highest £87.65
Mobility component
The rate the child gets depends on the level of help they need walking eg:
- lowest rate – they can walk but need more help and/or supervision when outdoors compared with other children of similar age. Can only be awarded once the child is 5 or over
- highest rate – they can’t walk, can only walk a short distance without severe discomfort, could become very ill if they try to walk or they’re blind, severely sight impaired. Can only be awarded once the child is 3 or over.
Weekly rate
Lower £23.20
Higher £61.20
How to claim DLA
New claims
Call the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Disability Benefits Helpline on 0800 121 4600. They will send out an information pack and self-assessment form. It is important to include as much detailed and accurate evidence about the claimant’s care needs and mobility difficulties at this stage. You can also claim online at the GOV.UK website
When making a claim for benefits it is always advisable to speak with an expert that understands the entire benefits system. As well as help with completing benefit forms, an expert can help you work out what you’re entitled to or to appeal a decision you disagree with.
If your claim is successful it is always advisable to have a benefit check for the household. For example you might qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a child who gets the middle or higher rate of DLA care component.
Existing DLA adult claimants
From July 2015 – the DWP will start to contact everyone else still in receipt of and invite them to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
By October 2017 – most existing DLA claimants (aged 16 to 64 on 8 April 2013) will have been invited to claim PIP. Those people already aged 65 or over (on 8 April 2013) will not be reassessed for PIP, and will remain on DLA as long as they continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria.
Useful contacts
Disability Information Scotland
Call our helpline on 0300 323 9961 for basic information on welfare rights and benefits or to find your local advice service. Search the Scottish Disability Directory online for details for your local disability information services.
Citizens Advice Scotland
To find a local bureau call 0808 800 9060 or search the Citizens Advice Scotland website.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Disability Benefits Helpline:
Telephone: 0800 121 4600
Text phone: 0800 121 4523
Government Information Service (GOV.UK)
Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA)
Provide information on advocacy. Also provide a directory to find your local advocacy organisation.
Information last updated on 27 October 2020. Please note that information may be subject to change. All information is provided in good faith but Disability Information Scotland does not endorse any product or service referred to within this resource.
If you would like this information guide in another version then please contact us and we will post or email you a copy.
Money, Benefits & Grants:Frequently Asked Questions
Through our helpline we receive enquiries spanning a wide range of different topics. Here is a selection of those most asked:
How can I appeal a PIP decision?
It is always a good idea to seek advice when challenging decisions. An advice agency will be able to tell you if you have a good case; how to obtain medical or other evidence; and may be able to represent you at an appeal hearing. In some cases there is a risk of losing a benefit if you challenge a decision. You can also search the Scottish Disability Directory to find your local welfare rights service.
You can challenge a decision if you think it is wrong according to the rules. The decision about your PIP is set out in a letter that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) send you. This is called the decision letter. The date on the letter is the decision date.
A Mandatory Reconsideration is the first step when challenging a PIP decision. It is asking the DWP to look at the decision again. You must normally ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the decision date.
Appeal to Tribunal is the second step of challenging a PIP decision. You can normally only do this after you have got a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice.
For more information see our Benefit Appeals & Reconsideration Guide.
How will PIP affect my ability to use the Motability Scheme?
The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a car, powered wheelchair or scooter. Eligibility to use the Motability Scheme is based on receiving one of the following benefits.
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
Awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP
For existing Scheme customers, their eligibility to remain on the Motability Scheme will depend on the outcome of their assessment for PIP. If you are awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP you should not experience any disruption to your lease as you move from one benefit to the other.
NOT awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP
If you are not awarded the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of PIP you will not be eligible to use the Motability Scheme. Being forced to leave the Scheme will be a difficult transition for you and your family.
The Motability Scheme has put in place a one-off package of transitional support to those customers who can no longer use the Scheme as a result of their initial DLA to PIP reassessment. This transitional package will include guidance on your mobility options and next steps, financial support if eligible, advice on buying a second hand car, information on insurance, maintenance and other mobility solutions, as well as the purchase price of your vehicle. You will be able to keep the car for eight weeks after the DLA payments stop.
In addition, if you first joined the Scheme before the end of 2013 you will have the option to keep the car for 26 weeks after the last DLA payment. If you choose to keep the car for this extended period your transitional support payment will be reduced.
For further details of the transitional support process please visit the Motability website. Their website has a useful section with more detailed information on the transitional support package. You can also phone the Motability Scheme helpline on 0300 456 4566.
Am I eligible for a reduction on Vehicle tax?
You might be eligible for a reduction or exemption on vehicle tax if you are disabled and meet the eligibility criteria. The vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or nominated driver’s name and must only be used for the disabled person’s personal needs.
You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the:
- higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component.
For more information contact our helpline on 0300 323 9962.
How can I find out what benefits might I be eligible for?
A good first step to see whether you are eligible to apply for certain benefits is to have a ‘benefits check’. A benefits check is a calculation that will include an estimate of what and how much you might get. You can get a check at your local welfare rights project, local Council Money Advice or Citizens Advice Bureau. Some housing associations and GP surgeries might also offer them.
You can also use the Turn2us benefit calculator online.
Before doing a benefits check, you will need information about any savings, income, pension, childcare payments or existing benefits (for both yourself and your partner).
To find your local welfare rights service search our Scottish Disability Directory. or contact our helpline on 0300 323 9961.
What support is available to help keep warm this winter?
At this time of year fuel costs increase and it can be difficult to keep yourself warm and cosy!
The good news is there are different grants and schemes available throughout the country to help people improve the heating in their homes and keep heating costs down. Check out our Help to heat your home guide for more information on what you might be eligible for.
Home Energy Scotland is a free impartial energy advice service to help people save money and keep their homes warmer. They offer simple energy saving tips, make referrals to funding schemes and can arrange benefits and tax credit checks to help people access available assistance.
If you would like more information about how you can help heat your home then please call Home Energy Scotland’s free helpline on 0808 808 2282 to check what support you might be entitled to. You can also text WARM to 60163 for a call back or email advice@se.homeenergyscotland.org.
From layering up with fleeces and blankets, to keeping refueled with hot drinks, there are ways that you can help keeps yourself cosier and keeps fuel costs down. For some extra tips check out our Get Winter Ready blog and/or the Home Energy Scotland ‘Keeping your home warm this winter’ blog.
Am I eligible for VAT relief on disability equipment?
In general, disabled people do not have to pay VAT on goods and services that are designed/ or adapted solely for use by disabled people. These goods and services are often called ‘zero-rated’ or ‘eligible for VAT relief’.
The majority of suppliers will know if their product has been specifically designed to help disabled people. They will offer their products free of VAT at the point of sale.
You’ll need to confirm in writing that you meet these conditions. Your supplier may give you a form for this.
Most suppliers will use the Notice 701/7 VAT relief for disabled people form.
For further information see our VAT Exemption for Disabled Goods Information Guide or call our helpline on 0300 323 9961.
Money, Benefits & Grants:Search for Local Organisations
Our quick search tool can connect you to over 3000 service providers, suppliers and organisations supporting people across Scotland. To find support near you, simply enter your search term and select your local authority.
| Organisation | Description |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen Action on Disability Ltd | Promote the integration of all disabled people into the community |
| Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau | Provide information to people living in the local area |
| Aberdeenshire North Foodbank | Provide food parcels to people in crisis |
| Aberdeenshire South Foodbank | Services provided: The area covered by the ASFB extends from the edge of Aberdeen City west to Braemar and from Strathdon to Portlethen, Stonehaven and Inverbervie. To obtain a food parcel from the Foodbank you must have been referred to them by a fron… |
| Aberdeenshire Support and Advice Team (ASAT) | Provide welfare rights advice |
| About purchasing zero-rated adapted vehicles | Guidance on what you need to know about purchasing adapted vehicles free of VAT if you are disabled |
| Absafe | Teach people how to recognise risk, avoid danger and make safe decisions in everyday life |
| ACCESS Angus | ACCESS Angus is the way for Angus citizens to access council services |
| Access to Elected Office Fund | Providing financial support for disabled people standing in Local Authority and Scottish Parliament elections to address impairment-related barriers and disadvantages. |
| Action for Kids Charitable Trust | Provides children & young people with equipment which enables them to have independent movement |
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