Disability Living Allowance if you have a terminal illness

What is Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?

DLA is a benefit for people who have a physical or mental disability and need help to care for themselves, or need someone to supervise them. It's also for people who need help getting around. You can no longer apply for DLA if you're aged 16 or over, but you may be able to apply for Personal Independance Payment (PIP) instead.

Can I claim DLA for my child?

• England and Wales – find out if your child is eligible and how to apply at GOV.UK.  
• Northern Ireland – find out if your child is eligible and how to apply at nidirect.  
• Scotland – DLA for children has been replaced by Child Disability Payment (CDP). If you currently get DLA for children, you'll be automatically switched to CDP before the end of 2022. Find out more about CDP at mygov.scot.  

What happens if I'm an adult currently getting DLA?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, DLA for adults has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP). In Scotland, DLA for adults is being replaced by Adult Disability Payment.

If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

If you were born after 8 April 1948 and you currently get DLA, you will be asked to claim PIP instead. You will not have the choice to stay on DLA. You'll be sent a letter explaining the change. Unless your circumstances change, you do not need to do anything until you get this letter. If you were born on or before 8 April 1948, you'll continue to get DLA as long as you're eligible for it.

Children can continue to claim DLA until they're 16. When they turn 16, they will need to apply for PIP. Visit GOV.UK to find out more about what happens to your child's DLA when they turn 16.  

If you live in Scotland

If you were born on or after 8 April 1948, your DLA award will move to Social Security Scotland if:

• you report a change to your disability or health condition
• you ask to move to Adult Disability Payment
• your DLA award is ending or renewing from summer 2022.

Your DLA will move after Adult Disability Payment is introduced in summer 2022. You do not have to do anything – Social Security Scotland will move your benefit.

If you were born before 8 April 1948 or the above circumstances do not apply to you, you'll continue getting DLA. Your benefit will move at a later date.

Visit mygov.scot for more information about changes to DLA for adults if you live in Scotland.  

If your child receives DLA they will be transferred to Child Disability Payment. Find out more about the transfer process at mygov.scot.  

What happens if I'm invited to claim PIP?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or The Disability and Carers Service (DCS) in Northern Ireland will send you a letter inviting you to claim PIP. You will have 28 days to start your claim.

You will not be able to stay on DLA, but as long as you claim PIP by the date given on the letter, your DLA will continue while you're assessed for PIP.

Claiming PIP when you have a terminal illness

If you have a terminal illness, you may be able to apply for PIP under the special rules for people with a terminal illness. Find out what the special rules are, and if they apply to you.

You will need a medical form from your healthcare professional to support your claim. Read more about how to claim PIP when you have a terminal illness.

What happens when I find out if my PIP claim has been successful?

If you have a terminal illness and your award of PIP is higher than your award of DLA, your PIP payments will start sooner. They will start on your next normal DLA pay day, or the Tuesday after your PIP claim is decided – whichever comes first.

If you do not have a terminal illness and/or your award of PIP is the same as your award of DLA, you'll continue getting your DLA for 28 days or more. Your PIP payments will start as soon as your DLA payments end.

If you were receiving DLA but are turned down for PIP, you can appeal the decision. You can find out how to do this at GOV.UK   or nidirect   if you live in Northern Ireland. You may be able to get support with appealing decisions from Citizens Advice or another advice agency. 

Queries about existing claims

If you have any queries about an existing claim for DLA or need to report a change of circumstances, you will need to contact the relevant department:

DLA for adults in England, Wales or Scotland – contact the Disability Service Centre:

• If you were born after 8 April 1948 – call 0800 121 4600, textphone 0800 121 4523, Relay UK 18001 then 0800 121 4600, or visit GOV.UK   to access the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service.
• If you were born on or before 8 April 1948 – call 0800 731 0122, textphone 0800 731 0317, Relay UK 1800 then 0800 731 0122, or visit GOV.UK   to access the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service.

DLA for adults in Northern Ireland – contact the Disability and Carers Service:

• Call 0800 587 0912, textphone 0800 012 1574, or visit nidirect   to access the British or Irish Sign Language video relay services.
• Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@dfcni.gov.uk

DLA for children in England, Wales or Scotland – contact the DLA helpline:

• Call 0800 121 4600, textphone 0800 121 4523, Relay UK 18001 then 0800 121 4600 or visit GOV.UK   to access the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service.

DLA for children in Northern Ireland:

• Call 0800 587 0912, textphone 0800 012 1574, or visit nidirect   to access the British or Irish Sign Language video relay services.
• Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@dfcni.gov.uk

Where can I get more help?

Some benefits can affect the other benefits that you or the person you care for get, so it's important you have the right information and advice. Here are some organisations that can provide further support:

• Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 provides general information about benefits and finances.
• Citizens Advice   has trained advisers you can speak to and provides information on your rights, including benefits, housing, employment, debt, consumer and legal issues. Search the site for your nearest bureau in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Turn2us   has a search function to find benefits advisers in your area, and provides people with financial support and information on benefits and grants.
• Macmillan Cancer Support   has welfare rights advisers you can speak to, and provides practical, medical and financial support for people affected by cancer.

Here at Marie Curie we cannot provide information about your specific benefit claim. For all queries about claims, you'll need to contact the relevant government department.

See our list of useful organisations for more places to go for benefits advice and information.

Useful websites

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