How much personal care DLA am I entitled to?
From April 2011, the weekly rates are:
Entitlement for personal care DLA
|
Rate
|
Disability test
|
Amount
|
|
Lowest
|
Part of the day
|
£19.55
|
|
Middle
|
Throughout the day or during the night
|
£49.30
|
|
Highest
|
Throughout the day and during the night
|
£73.60
|
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Disability tests
Help for part of the day
You will pass the disability test if:
-
you cannot prepare a cooked main meal for yourself
or
-
you need help from someone else for at least an hour a day with your bodily functions
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Help throughout the day
You will pass the disability test if:
-
you need frequent attention throughout the day in connection with your bodily functions
or
-
you need continual supervision throughout the day in order to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others.
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Help during the night
You will pass the disability test if:
-
you need at least 20 minutes attention in connection with your bodily functions
or
-
you need attention in connection with your bodily functions at least twice
or
-
you need another person to be awake for the purposes of watching over you in order to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others
People who are terminally ill may qualify under 'special rules'. A friend or relative can apply on their behalf. The high rate of DLA is paid automatically, and there is no need to satisfy any of the disability tests.
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Help cooking a main meal
You will pass the cooking test if your disability means you cannot peel or chop vegetables, handle hot pans safely, or do not have the stamina or concentration required to plan and cook a main meal. It is irrelevant whether you actually ever cook yourself a main meal.
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Attention needs
You may need attention if, because of an illness or disability, you have difficulty:
-
dressing or undressing
-
using the toilet
-
getting into or out of chairs
-
taking showers or baths
-
taking medicine
-
walking indoors
-
getting into or out of chairs
-
taking showers or baths
-
taking medicine
-
walking indoors
-
getting into or out of bed
-
eating or drinking
-
hearing
-
seeing
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Supervision/watching over needs
You may need supervision or watching over if your illness or disability means you:
-
are unsteady on your feet
-
might fall
-
might have fits or blackouts
-
are forgetful
-
may put yourself or others at risk
-
may need medical help urgently
It is your reasonable need for attention or supervision that matters, you can still qualify if you live alone and do not get help.
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