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Introduction to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people with epilepsy

Last checked 26/09/2008

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Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free social security benefit for people with an illness or disability who need help with:

  • getting around
  • personal care, or
  • both of these.

You can claim DLA even if you:

  • do not actually ge the help you need
  • live alone, or
  • are working

DLA is made up of two components (parts). You may qualify for just one component or both components.

  • The care component - if you need help with your personal care because of your disability
  • The mobility component - if you need help to get around because of your disability.

Assess yourself for Disability Living Allowance (related to your epilepsy)

Children with epilepsy

If you would like to find out if a child with epilepsy may be eligible for DLA, you may find it helpful to contact Cerebra, www.cerebra.org.uk, tel 01267 244200. They have produced a step-by-step guide to claiming DLA for children under 16 with brain related conditions.

Adults with epilepsy

The questionnaire on our DLA factsheet will help you find out if you may be eligible for one or both components of DLA.

How to apply for Disability Living Allowance

To apply for DLA, you need to complete an application form. There are two forms - one for people under the age of 16 and one for pepole over 16. You can order a claim pack and for by:

  • phoning the Benefit Enquiry Line for People with Disabilities, Tel 0800 88 22 00 (England, Scotland and Wales) or Tel. 0800 220 674 (Northern Ireland)
  • contacting Jobcentre PLus, Tel. 0800 055 6688 or your local social security office
  • downloading an application form the Direct Gov website, www.direct.gov.uk.

Help with completing the Disability Living Allowance form

 Many people find that their claims are more likely to be successful if they have help with completing the claim forms. You can get help from the following sources:

Benefits Agency:
Tel. 0800 44 11 44

Disability Alliance Rights Advice Line:
Tel. 020 7247 8763 (Mondays and Wednesdays, 2pm - 4pm)
Website: www.disabilityalliance.org

Citizens Advice Bureau:
For details of your local branch, Tel. 020 7833 2181
Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk

Tips for completing the Disability Living Allowance form

  • You do not need to answer questions that do not apply to you. 
  • Don’t assume that the person who deals with your claim knows about epilepsy or its symptoms and effects. Give lots of description and detail about your seizures and recovery time, even things that you find embarrassing.
  • Include information about any side-effects you experience from anti-epileptic drugs. 
  • Don’t worry if you repeat information – it is better to give too much information than
    not enough. 
  • Try to explain clearly the type of help you need and when you need it. 
  • Make it clear what you think might happen if you didn't have supervision or someone keeping an eye on you.
  • Describe any events that have happened in the past due to your seizures, which could have put you in danger of injury if you hadn't had help.
  • Explain why you need help from somebody else for your care and mobility needs, even if nobody helps you at the moment. 
  • Put what you can’t do, not what you can do. 
  • Try to give an average of the number of bad days over a given period of time (for example eight days out of 14). You stand more chance of qualifying for DLA if you can show that you need help on most, or all, days of the week. 
  • It is a good idea to use the terms ‘bad days’ and ‘better days’. 
  • If you have other illnesses or disabilities as well as epilepsy, ask for help in answering questions about them from your doctor or another organisation who knows about that condition. If you would like help to find details of a particular health organisation, phone the Epilepsy Helpline, freephone 0808 800 5050 or send an email to helpline@epilepsy.org.uk  

  

Different levels of Disability Living
Allowance

Disability Living Allowance is paid at different amounts, depending on the amount of care or help with mobility you need. This table shows the different levels of DLA.

Care allowance

Level  Qualifying age  Qualifying needs  Amount 
High 3 months - 64 years  Care needs throughout the day and night  £64.50 per week* 
Middle  3 months - 64 years   Care needs throughout the day or night  £43.15 per week*
Low  3 months - 64 years   Care needs at certain times or when cooking  £17.10 per week* 

Mobility allowance

Level  Qualifying age  Qualifying criteria  Amount 
High  3 years - 64 years  Unable/virtually unable to walk  £45.00 per week * 
Low  5 years - 64 years Needs guidance and supervision when moving around  £17.10 per week* 

*This information is correct 7 November 2007

Epilepsy Action makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of information in its oblications but cannot be held liable for any actions taken based on this information. 

If you are reading this publication more than 12 months after the date shown below, please contact Epilepsy Action to check whether it is still current.

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