Carer's Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is awarded to applicants who are under 65 who need supervision and/or need help with personal care and/or have mobility needs because of illness or disability.
Unless the claimant has a terminal illness, help must have been needed for at least three months and needed at the same level for a further six months.
There are 3 benefit rates for care:
- Upper and middle rates are the same as the higher and lower rates for Attendance Allowance for equivalent needs
- Lower rates are for people with moderate care needs or (if aged 16 or over) those unable to prepare a cooked main meal for one
There are 2 benefit rates for mobility:
- Higher rate for those unable or virtually unable to walk
- Lower rate for those who can walk, but need guidance or supervision on unfamiliar routes
Further information on Disability Living Allowance is available from the Department for Work and Pensions 
website
Incapacity Benefit (Youth)
People aged 16 to 19 (or aged 16 to 24 if in continuous education or training since before age 20) can claim Incapacity Benefit after 28 weeks' illness or disability without needing National Insurance contributions.
In some circumstances, a claim may be made from the 16th birthday if that person was sick or disabled for the previous 28 weeks. Entitlement continues beyond age 20 (or 25) if medical conditions continue to be met.
Further information on Incapacity Benefit (Youth) is available from the Jobcentre Plus website.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance (AA) is awarded to applicants who are aged 65 or over when they apply, who need supervision and/or help with personal care because of their illness or disability.
Help must have been needed for at least six months, but there is no qualifying period for a person who is terminally ill.
There are 2 benefit rates:
- Higher rate for care/supervision needs both day and night
- Lower rate for care/supervision needs during the day or night
Further information on Attendance Allowance is available from the Department for Work and Pensions website.
Carer's Allowance
Carer's Allowance is for people aged 16 and over who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a severely disabled person getting Attendance Allowance (either rate) or Disability Living Allowance care component at the middle or upper rate.
The carer must not be in full time education or (if working) earning more than £82 per week after deducting allowable expenses.
Further information on Carer's Allowance is available from the Department for Work and Pensions website.
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