The Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance | War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement

The Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is intended to help you to become more mobile if your disability is of a severe nature.

It may be used to purchase a vehicle, or to pay for taxis, car hire, holiday transport etc.

There is no check on how the money is spent except when it is paid on behalf of another person (e.g. a child).

The Mobility Component is not taxable or means-tested. It should not be taken into account as income for other benefits. Arrears of Mobility Component should not count as "capital" for income-related benefits for a period of up to a year after it is paid.

Am I eligible? | How do I claim? | Payment | The higher rate of the Mobility Component | The lower rate of the Mobility Component | What if my claim is rejected? | How do I appeal?

• you need to complete a self-assessment claim pack which is used by the Benefits Agency to make decisions on your functional abilities



• there is a separate claim pack for children under 16



• the claim pack includes two statements for completion. The first can be filled in by a friend or carer, the second by someone such as a doctor, a nurse, a social worker, physiotherapist or occupational therapist



• claim packs can be obtained from the Benefits Agency ( www.dwp.gov.uk ) or the Citizens Advice Bureaux ( www.nacab.org.uk )



• for assistance in filling out the forms in the pack, freephone: 0800 441144, minicom: 0800 243355

• Mobility Component is payable at two levels: a higher rate of £45.00 per week and a lower rate of £17.10



• Your DLA is usually paid once every four weeks. This can be paid directly into your bank or building society account or by order book



• Once received, the Mobility Component can be payable for life although a shorter fixed period can be awarded



• If you also receive the Care Component of the DLA for a fixed period, the length of time of both components may be aligned to whichever is the shorter. Life awards are not aligned



• Payment of the Mobility Component may be affected by spells in hospital of four weeks or more.Click here to find out about other help related to these entitlements.
  

• Because of your physical disability, you are either unable to walk or virtually unable to walk. Factors to be taken into account when deciding if you are virtually unable to walk include the speed, distance, length of time and manner of walking out of doors. If you experience severe discomfort or exertion which could endanger your life, this can be counted as virtually unable to walk. If you use artificial aids, your ability to walk will be judged by how you manage when using these aids. If you can walk with the use of an aid, you are likely to fail the test



• If you have no legs or feet, or both legs have been amputated at or above the ankle, you should qualify automatically. How you manage with prostheses does not affect this



• You have both visual and hearing impairments, where the loss of vision is assessed at 100% and the loss of hearing at 80%. You have to show that the combined effects mean that you are unable to walk out of doors without help

If you have a learning disability, you have to show that you:

• Have impaired intelligence and social functioning because of arrested or incomplete development of the brain



• Have severe behavioural problems (extreme, unpredictable and disruptive behaviour which requires someone else to restrain you)



• You qualify for the higher rate of the Care Component (night and day care).
  

• You are able to walk but, because of a mental or physical disability, you require guidance or supervision from another person most of the time when you are walking outdoors. This is for people who lack "directional mobility", particularly those with visual impairments or learning disabilities.
  

• After your application has been received, you will get a letter from the Benefits Agency notifying you of their decision. This letter will also tell you what to do if you disagree with their decision



• If you are not satisfied with the decision, you need to contact the Benefits Agency within one month of the date of the decision letter. You can phone the Agency, but it is best to put your complaint in writing



• A different member of staff will review your claim to see whether the original decision is correct. If the decision is changed, and you are awarded the benefit, the change will come into place on the date of your original application. If the decision is not overturned, you can appeal

• If you still do not agree with the Benefit Agency's decision, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Your orginal decision letter should tell you whether you have the right to appeal. You may appeal to a tribunal following the initial decision or, alternatively, you can ask the Benefits Agency to look at the decision again and appeal if you are still not satisfied



• You must request an appeal within one month from the date of the decision that you are appealing against



• If you wish to appeal, you will need to fill out the form contained in the leaflet 'If you think our decision is wrong' from the Benefits Agency. You should also enclose a letter and any other supporting evidence. Send the form to the office that made the decision you are appealing against



• When you make your appeal, the Benefits Agency will have another look at the decision (if they have not already done so). If they decide to change the original decision, your appeal will be stopped



• If the decision has not been changed, your case will be passed to the Appeals Service (the Appeals Service is independent of the Benefits Agency)


• An appeal tribunal (consisting of a legally-qualified chairperson, a medically-qualified person, and somebody who has experience in the needs of disabled people) will be arranged

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