Benefits for People with Learning Difficulties

The following benefits may be available to a person with a learning disability (or their carer).

Disability Living Allowance
Attendance Allowance
Income Support
Incapacity Benefit
Severe Disablement Allowance
Carers Allowance
Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Social Fund

We have developed a guide specifically to help with completing the application form for Disability Living Allowance claim form for people with learning difficulties, which you can find view the completion guide here

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

DLA is made up of two components – the care component, which is paid at three rates and the mobility component, which is paid at two rates.

It is paid to people who have difficulty going out alone or have physical problems walking and/or who need help with personal care.

High Rate Mobility Component

This is for people who have physical problems walking or are entitled to high rate care and are severely mentally impaired with disruptive and dangerous behavioural problems.

Low Rate Mobility Component

Someone may qualify if they need ‘guidance and supervision’ from another person when outdoors. This may be for example because they:

• Have no road sense
• Are aggressive to strangers
• May go off with strangers
• Are scared by people, crowds or noises in the street
  

Care component (paid at three rates)

People with learning disabilities may:

• Not be able to cook a main meal for themselves
• Need help with bodily functions such as using the toilet, washing, dressing, eating, drinking, taking medication, getting in and out of bed, and many others
• Need motivating, reminding and encouraging to do things
• Need to be supervised to make sure they and/or others are safe, that tasks are completed properly, that property isn’t damaged.

Attendance Allowance

This is similar to DLA but is for people who first claim over the age of 65. There are no mobility components and only two rates of the care component.  back to top

Income Support

This is a means-tested benefit for people on a low income who are unable to work. People who qualify for DLA at the middle or higher rate of the care component or Attendance Allowance may qualify for extra Income Support. Someone may be able to claim Carers Allowance (CA) for caring for them but they should always seek advice before claiming CA as it may affect both the carer and the cared for person’s benefits.

Extra money may be payable with certain other benefits. Homeowners may also get help with mortgage interest payments.. back to top

Incapacity Benefit

People with a learning disability are likely to qualify under the rules for people incapable of work from the age of 16 but under 20 (in some cases under 25), which does not depend on having paid national insurance contributions.. back to top

Severe Disablement Allowance

This was abolished for new claimants on 6th April 2001, but some people who were receiving it before this date can continue to receive it.

A learning disabled person may be allowed to do some work and still be entitled to receive IB, SDA or IS, but the rules are complicated and advice should be sought before starting any kind of work..  back to top

Carers Allowance

This benefit may be payable to someone who is caring for someone who has a learning disability.. back to top

Housing and Council Tax Benefit

These benefits are paid to those on a low income to help with the costs of rent and council tax. They are means-tested, but it is not necessary to be receiving any other benefits to claim, or to be unable to work.. back to top

Working Tax Credit (WTC)

A learning disabled person may get WTC if they work and have a disability which puts them at a disadvantage of getting a job.

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

A learning disabled person who is over 16 and is responsible for a child, who normally lives with them, may be able to claim Child Tax Credit.. back to top

Social Fund

Grants or loans may be payable to those who meet the qualifying conditions.. back to top

Other sources of financial support

Direct Payments – money from Social Services to allow a disabled person to buy in their own care services.

Independent Living Fund (ILF) – money to help a disabled person live independently. It is ignored for means tested benefits. Contact Social Services for advice.

‘Supporting People’ services – money paid to a carer for looking after a disabled person, to allow them to stay in the community.. back to top

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