How to apply for Disability Living Allowance

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How to apply for Disability Living Allowance

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What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability or health condition get. 

The money is to pay for extra help to do things and to get around. 

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This Easy Read tells you how to apply for DLA. 

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Step 1: Check that you can get DLA

To see if you could get DLA, read our What is DLA? Easy Read page. 

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Step 2: Get the DLA form

You can contact the Disability Living Allowance helpline to ask for a copy of the DLA form: 

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  • phone: 0800 121 4600 
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  • textphone: 0800 121 4523

You might want to use a textphone if you find it difficult to hear or speak on the phone.

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  • Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 4600 

Relay UK helps people who can not hear or speak on the phone.

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You can find the DLA form on the government’s website. 

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Before you fill in the form, it is useful if you have: 

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  • the name and contact details of professionals who help the child (This might be a health visitor or a doctor.) 
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  • a list of medication the child takes 
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  • a copy of any letters or assessment reports about the child’s health condition or disability 
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You might want to photocopy the form or practice your answers on a piece of paper before you fill it in.

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Step 3: Fill in the DLA form

It is ok to ask someone who knows you well to help you fill in the form.

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If you download the form from the government ’s website , you can: 

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  • print the form out and fill it in with a black pen 
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  • fill in the form on your laptop or desktop computer and then print it out 
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You can not fill in the form on your mobile phone or tablet. 

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If you have filled in the form, but you are waiting for some reports or letters,

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you can post the form and send the reports or letters later. 

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When you have filled in the form it is a good idea to take photos of the form, or to make a copy of it so you can see what you wrote. 

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When you have filled in the form, send it off in the envelope that came with the form. 

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If you can not find the envelope that came with the form, or you downloaded the form from the government’s website, send it to:  

Freepost DWP DLA Child 

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This Easy Read was first published 21/08/2023 

Last updated: 21/08/2023 

 

The information on this page is for guidance only. 

Mencap hold no responsibility for DWP processes, timescales, decisions and service. 

 

 

  

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