DLA for Adults: Who Can Still Claim, Rates and the Move to PIP
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Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults is now closed to new claims across Great Britain, and most working-age claimants have moved to PIP. But some people still receive adult DLA, and the rules still matter for renewals, reviews and the move to PIP. This guide explains who is still on it, the current rates, and what happens next.
Key points
✓You can no longer make a new adult DLA claim in Great Britain, new claims go to PIP (or Attendance Allowance over State Pension age).
✓Only people who were 65 or over on 8 April 2013 remain on adult DLA in GB.
✓Working-age DLA claimants have been, or are being, reassessed for PIP.
✓DLA still exists for adults in Northern Ireland (Department for Communities); Scotland uses Adult Disability Payment.
✓DLA has two parts: care (lowest/middle/highest) and mobility (lower/higher).
Who can still get adult DLA
✓Yes: In Great Britain you cannot make a new adult DLA claim, PIP replaced it for new claims from April 2013.
✓Yes: People who were 65 or over on 8 April 2013 were not moved to PIP and can stay on DLA.
✓Yes: Everyone else of working age has been, or is being, invited to claim PIP; if you get a letter about this, you must claim PIP or your DLA will end.
✓Yes: Children under 16 can still claim DLA (see our DLA for children guide).
If you are over State Pension age and not already on DLA or PIP, the benefit to look at is Attendance Allowance.
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DLA has a care component and a mobility component, paid at these weekly rates:
✓Yes: Care, highest rate: £114.60 (day and night needs, or terminal illness).
✓Yes: Care, middle rate: £76.70 (day or night needs).
✓Yes: Care, lowest rate: £30.30 (help for part of the day, or with cooking a main meal).
✓Yes: Mobility, higher rate: £80.00 (unable or virtually unable to walk, or severe conditions).
✓Yes: Mobility, lower rate: £30.30 (can walk but needs guidance or supervision outdoors).
The highest and middle care rates and the higher mobility rate match Attendance Allowance and PIP; the lowest care and lower mobility rates are unique to DLA.
Moving from DLA to PIP
If you are of working age and still on DLA, the DWP will write to invite you to claim PIP. This is not automatic, you must make the PIP claim:
✓Yes: Your DLA continues until your PIP claim is decided, as long as you claim by the date in the letter.
✓Yes: PIP is assessed differently from DLA, so prepare as if for a fresh claim, do not assume the same award.
✓Yes: The mobility rules differ: the PIP enhanced mobility rate uses a 20-metre rule, which has cost some people their Motability vehicle.
✓Yes: If your PIP award is lower than you expected, you can challenge it by mandatory reconsideration and appeal.
Do not ignore a letter inviting you to claim PIP. If you miss the deadline your DLA can stop. See our DLA to PIP guide.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
✓Yes: Scotland: working-age disability support is Adult Disability Payment from Social Security Scotland, and DLA awards are being transferred to it.
✓Yes: Northern Ireland: adult DLA still exists and is run by the Department for Communities; PIP replaced it for new claims from June 2016.
✓Yes: The rates are the same across the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I still claim DLA as an adult?
No. You cannot make a new adult DLA claim in Great Britain, new disability claims go to PIP, or to Attendance Allowance if you are over State Pension age. Only people who were 65 or over on 8 April 2013 remain on adult DLA in GB. In Northern Ireland adult DLA still exists but is also closed to new adult claims.
How much is adult DLA in 2026/27?
The care component is £30.30 (lowest), £76.70 (middle) or £114.60 (highest) a week. The mobility component is £30.30 (lower) or £80.00 (higher) a week. The highest and middle care rates and higher mobility rate match Attendance Allowance and PIP.
Do I have to move from DLA to PIP?
If you are of working age, yes, the DWP will write inviting you to claim PIP, and you must claim by the deadline or your DLA will stop. Your DLA continues until the PIP decision is made. People who were 65 or over on 8 April 2013 are not moved to PIP.
Know Your Rights UK. "DLA for Adults: Who Can Still Claim, Rates and the Move to PIP." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/benefits/dla-for-adults