DPTAC: Door to Door - a travel guide for disabled people

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There is a wide range of benefits and allowances available for disabled people. Knowing what you are entitled to claim can be confusing but there are several organisations that can help.

General advice and information on benefits and allowances for disabled people can be obtained from:

National

The Benefits Enquiry Line (BEL) - 0800 88 22 00 textphone - 0800 24 33 55
Disability Alliance: www.disabilityalliance.org/ben3.htm
Royal National Institute for the Blind: www.rnib.org.uk
Royal National Institute for Deaf People: www.rnid.org.uk

Local

Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) / Benefits Agency offices
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Disability Information Advice Lines
Associations of and for disabled people

The Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the main allowance for help with travel and transport. DLA is a tax-free benefit for people who have a care or mobility need that arises from disability or illness before the age of 65. Once approved, the benefit continues to be payable beyond 65 if the other conditions continue to be met. It is not income related, nor are there any conditions on how the benefit is spent.

The amount of money that you receive will depend on how much help you need.

The Mobility Component has two different rates, a Higher Rate and a Lower Rate, which one you receive will depend on how much help you need to get around.

The Care Component has three different levels, A Higher, Middle and Lower Rate, which one you receive will depend on how much care is required.

More information about the Disability Living Allowance can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10011731.

Claims for the DLA Mobility Component may also be made on behalf of children who are aged 3 years or over. You can find out more about DLA for children at: www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10011816.

If you get DLA, you will also be entitled to some other benefits. The main ones are:

For recipients of DLA Care Component - Higher and Medium Care Components only

Disabled Persons Railcard

For recipients of DLA Mobility Component (Higher Mobility Component only)

Disabled Persons Railcard
Motability Lease and Purchase Schemes
Vehicle Excise Duty Exemption - which then gives the following further benefits:

Automatic exemption from London Congestion Charging
Discretionary concessions on some road, bridge and tunnel tolls and car park charges

Blue Badge Parking Permit - which then gives the following further benefits:

Exemption from London Congestion Charging by registering a vehicle in advance
Discretionary concessions on some road, bridge and tunnel tolls and car park charges

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Door to Door: a travel guide for disabled people

Before you travel: Benefits and allowances