About this factsheet

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This factsheet is part of RNID's benefits range. It is written for adults aged 16 to 64 who are deaf. We use the term 'people who are deaf' throughout this factsheet to refer to people who are deaf, deafened and hard of hearing.

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This factsheet will answer the following questions:

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Most of the information in this factsheet will apply to you wherever you live in the UK. However, if you live in Northern Ireland, we advise you to call the Benefit Enquiry Line for Northern Ireland for further advice. You can also contact RNID Northern Ireland. If you live in Scotland or Wales you may also wish to contact RNID Scotland or RNID Cymru for more local advice. For all contact details, see Further information at the end of this factsheet.

What is DLA?

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If you are 65 or over you should claim a benefit called attendance allowance instead. For more information see our factsheet "Attendance allowance".

Who can qualify?

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To qualify for DLA:

Benefits are assessed and paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP uses the term "Great Britain" to mean England, Scotland and Wales. If you live in Northern Ireland contact the Benefit Enquiry Line for Northern Ireland for advice.

How do I make a claim for DLA?

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It is important to claim DLA straight away as in most cases DLA can't be backdated. You can get a DLA claim pack by:

All contact details are in the "Further information" section at the end of this factsheet.

What are the DLA components?

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There are two parts to DLA: the care component and the mobility component.

DLA care component

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To qualify for the care component you must:

The disability tests for the care component.

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The DLA care component has three different rates: lower, middle, and higher.

To qualify for benefit, you must have had the relevant care or mobility needs for at least three months and expect to have the same needs for at least the next six months.

Lower rate care component

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To qualify, you must be so severely physically or mentally disabled that either:

Middle and higher rate care component

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Day conditions

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You must be so physically or mentally disabled that you need from another person:

Night conditions

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You must be so physically or mentally disabled that:

DLA mobility component

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To qualify for the mobility component you must:

The disability tests for the mobility component

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There are two rates of payment for the mobility component – lower and higher.

To qualify for benefit, you must have met one of the disability tests below for at least three months and expect to meet the test for at least the next six months.

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Lower rate mobility component

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To qualify:

Higher rate mobility component

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To qualify:

How much is DLA?

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DLA is paid at the following weekly rates, which apply from April 2009.

Care component 

Care component	Weekly rate
Lower rate	£18.65
Middle rate	£47.10
Higher rate	£70.35

Mobility component 

Mobility component	Weekly rate
Lower rate	£18.65
Higher rate	£47.10

People who are deaf and the care component

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Most people who are deaf and get DLA care component qualify because they need "attention ... in connection with" their "bodily functions". Both hearing and speech are treated as "bodily functions".

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If you need help to communicate with other people this counts as "attention". However, help with communication only counts as attention if it has to be provided by another person in your presence. If, however, you can communicate with the use of special equipment, such as a hearing aid or a textphone, this will not count as "attention". Various kinds of communication support can be seen as 'attention' including:

For example, if your first language is sign language and you have difficulty understanding written or spoken English, you may need someone to explain information to you. This type of help can count as 'attention' for DLA.

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At present, the law says that two-way communication in sign language does not count as 'attention' unless the person signing to you is so slow that communication needs extra effort, for example if they are learning to sign. If someone needs to make 'unusual efforts' to get your attention to start communicating with you, this may also count as attention, although there have been conflicting legal decisions on what counts as 'unusual efforts'.

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The actual rate of the care component does not depend on the level of your hearing loss but on the amount of help you need with communication. This will vary from person to person and depends on your ability to communicate with hearing people and how often you need to communicate with hearing people during the day.

People who are deaf and the mobility component

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Lower rate mobility component

In June 2000 a Tribunal of Social Security Commissioners decided that people who are deaf and use sign language and were unable to understand or follow written or spoken directions, or read a map, could qualify for the lower rate mobility component. This decision should make it easier for people who are deaf to qualify for the lower rate mobility component from now on.

The commissioners decided that a person who is prelingually deaf and whose first language is BSL, can qualify because they "may need someone with them on unfamiliar routes to ensure that they do not get lost". The term "prelingual" is used to describe someone who was born deaf or became deaf before they learned a spoken language.

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The law says that you must need a guide "most of the time". This does not mean that your guide must be actively helping you all the time. The commissioners ruled that: "although the guide may only intervene occasionally – for example to indicate whether or when the claimant should take a turning – he will nonetheless be guiding (or possibly supervising) all of the time since otherwise the claimant will not know whether or when to change direction".

If you do not travel outdoors because you have feelings of fear or anxiety, this in itself will no longer help you qualify for the lower rate mobility component. However, if you have "fear or anxiety" because you cannot communicate with strangers, or you have trouble following maps or written directions, then you should still be able to qualify.

Higher rate mobility component

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People who are blind and deaf can qualify for the higher rate mobility component. You will be treated as 100% disabled from blindness if your loss of sight makes you "unable to perform work for which eyesight is essential". People who are registered blind, or whose sight loss is such that they could be registered blind, will be treated as 100% disabled.

You will be treated as 80% disabled from deafness if your deafness is at least 87 decibels in both ears at 1, 2 and 3 kilohertz while you are wearing a hearing aid, if you normally use one. Hearing loss is normally assessed by a hearing test. A decibel scale is used to indicate the sensitivity of your ears to different frequencies (pitch) and levels of loudness.

Can I get DLA if I am in hospital?

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Can I get DLA if I am in residential care?

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You will normally only lose the care component if you spend more than four weeks in residential care which is partly or wholly funded by your social services department or local education authority. This affects people in residential care as well as young people in special residential schools and colleges. The mobility component is not affected.

If, however, you are living in a residential care home and you pay the fees yourself, you may be able to keep your DLA care component. The rules about benefits in residential care are very complicated. You should get expert advice from one of the organisations we list later in "Further information".

Does DLA affect other benefits?

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No. When the DWP decides whether you can get means-tested benefits, they do not treat DLA as income.

A DLA award can also help you qualify for other benefits:

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Can I challenge a decision?

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It is common for people who are deaf to have their DLA claims rejected but many people who are deaf successfully challenge this and are later awarded DLA. There is a one-month dispute period during which you can challenge this decision. You can ask for a written explanation for the decision within that one-month period.  If you ask for a written explanation, the dispute period will be extended by a further two weeks.  For more information see our factsheet, "Challenging disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA) decisions".

How do I fill in the claim form?

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This section gives you advice on filling in the DLA claim form. Don't be put off by the length of the form, as not all of it will apply to you. You may not have all the difficulties mentioned here, or you may have some that we have not mentioned. If you need help filling in a form or want to speak to someone in person contact your local citizens advice bureau (external link, opens new browser window) (CAB). Alternatively contact the disability living allowance and attendance allowance helpline. They may be able to arrange for a visiting officer to come and see you in your own home.

You must send off the claim form to the DWP within six weeks of getting the claim pack, or you may lose some benefit.

Remember, always keep a copy of the form that you have completed and sent.

From the end of April, a new claim form is being introduced. The DWP will continue to send out old forms until stocks run out. In this next section, we refer to the new form. 

Part 1 – About you

Part 1 asks you for basic information: your name, address, national insurance number and other basic details.

Part 2 – About your illnesses or disabilities and the treatment or help you receive

In section 14, you should include details of:

In sections 16 to 18 you should give details of any surgery you are waiting for and any tests you have had (for example, hearing tests). It also asks whether you have been to, or are going to, a pain-management clinic.

In section 19, you should give details of any aids or adaptations you use. For example, you should include details of:

In section 20, you should give details of any other healthcare or social care professionals you have seen in the past 12 months, such as a hospital doctor, audiologist, social worker, hearing therapist and so on.

In section 21, you should give details of anyone else who helps you, such as a carer, relative or friend. You should explain what help you get from them. You can give more information about this later on in the form.

In section 22, you should give details of your GP. In section 23, you are asked to say whether or not you agree that any of the people listed can be contacted for information. If you agree to this contact, it is likely to help your claim to succeed.

Section 24 asks you to tick if you are claiming under the special rules. This is only for people who are not expected to live for more than six months.

Parts 3 and 4

These are the most important parts of the form. They ask about how your disabilities affect your daily life and what sort of problems you have. Many of the questions are not relevant to people who are deaf, so do not be put off by the length of these parts.

Part 3 – Getting around outdoors

Sections 25 to 33 ask you about physical problems with walking. If you have a physical disability as well as your deafness, and this additional disability makes it hard for you to walk outdoors, you should fill in this section.

Be specific about how far you can walk before you start to experience pain or severe discomfort – for example, 20 metres or 50 metres. If you are in pain or breathless, you should try to describe how bad this is when walking on level ground. You should also explain if you walk with a limp, drag your feet and if you walk very slowly. If you are not sure how to answer these questions, ask a friend or relative to watch you walking outdoors. If you have balance problems or vertigo as a result of your hearing loss, describe how these conditions affect your ability to walk. You should also fill in this section if you meet one of the other conditions for the higher rate of the mobility component listed on page 6 of this factsheet.

Section 32 asks whether you fall or stumble outdoors. This may be because of blackouts, seizures and fits or balance problems caused by Ménière's disease, vertigo or epilepsy. Explain what happens, how often this happens, and what help you need from another person when this happens.

Sections 34 to 36 ask you about having someone with you when you are outdoors. You will qualify for the lower rate mobility component if you need someone to guide or supervise you when you walk on unfamiliar outdoor routes. If you are profoundly deaf, and rely on sign language, you may qualify if you need an escort to walk with you to places you do not know well.

Explain why you need someone with you in these situations. For example:

You can use the space in section 34 and the extra space in section 36. The form also asks how many days each week you need this help – normally this would be seven days a week. Even if you don’t actually go out every day, you should say whether you would need help if you did go out.

Part 4 – Help with your care needs

Section 38 – tick 'yes' if you need any help with communication or any help because of other disabilities.

Section 39 asks you about getting out of bed in the morning and into bed at night. Explain if you need someone to wake you up in the morning – for example, if you take off your hearing aids at night. You may not be able to hear an alarm clock, and have tried special alarm clocks, but found they did not wake you.

Sections 40 to 42 ask you about things like using the toilet, washing and dressing. If you have nothing to write on these pages, just tick the box saying 'no'. Explain if you have problems with your balance or Ménière’s disease, if this affects your ability to do any of these things, such as getting in or out of the bath.

Sections 43 to 44 ask you about moving about indoors. This page only applies if you have a physical disability or you have a sight problem, or if you have significant balance problems so that you need someone to help you with things like using the stairs.

Section 45 asks you about help with cutting up food, eating or drinking. This page only applies if you have a physical disability or a sight problem.

Section 46 asks you about help with medical treatment. Explain if you need someone to help you take regular medication, for example, to remind you to take medicines, or to make sure you take the right dosage. Describe any problems you have with medical treatment. Explain if you have any side-effects from the medication you take, or what may happen if you do not take your medication.

Section 47 asks you if you usually need help from another person to communicate with other people. This is the most important part of the form if you are deaf. It doesn't matter if you don't currently get communication support. What counts is the help you reasonably require, not the amount of help you actually get. You may need help with communication in a range of situations, such as visiting the doctor, using public transport, while at work, at the shops, or for social and leisure activities. It helps if you can give examples of when and how often you need this help, and how long you need help for. In this section, you should include details of:

Many people who are deaf use their friends and family informally to help with communication. It is important that you describe this. For example:

See page 7 of this factsheet for examples of more formal communication support that you may use or need.

When you use an interpreter, the interpreter has to have breaks (periods of rest). Say how often and for how long, because the breaks mean that communication can take much longer. It is important to say that there are no appropriate alternatives to interpreters – such as using handwritten notes – if full and proper communication is to take place.
If you use sign language and you have difficulties understanding written English, you may need someone to explain written information such as:

You can use the extra space on pages 33 and 39 of the claim form to give further information about the help you need with communication. Try to include details of help you need because of your deafness to carry out your job, studies, or other regular activities. You can also use the extra space on pages 33 and 39 to explain if you have tinnitus and how it affects you – for example, if it affects your sleep and makes you tired, which makes it harder for you to concentrate on communication during the day.
 
Section 48 asks about the help you need to take part in hobbies, interests, social or religious activities. Describe the help you need because of your deafness to carry out a reasonable level of social and religious activities, interests and hobbies. Activities could include going to pubs, visiting family or friends, watching TV or videos, keeping fit, visiting a museum or going to a place of worship. This section is not only about the help you need for what you currently do, but also about what you would do if you could get the help. There may be some things you are currently not able to do because you do not have help. If extra communication support would enable you to do those things, you should explain that. You can use the extra space on pages 33 and 39 to give more examples.

Section 49 asks whether you need supervision from another person. Describe if and when you need supervision. For example, if you need supervision to stay safe outdoors due to your hearing loss or balance problems. Try to give examples of accidents or dangerous situations that you have been in.

Section 50 asks about preparing a cooked main meal for yourself. This question looks at how easy you find it to plan and cook a main meal for yourself. A main meal means a proper meal cooked on a conventional cooker, not a ready-made microwave meal or convenience snack. You should explain if you have problems following recipes, understanding cooking instructions, or telling people about any special dietary needs.

Sections 51 to 54 ask about the help you need at night. These sections ask about help you need during the night when in bed, to use the toilet, to take medication, or if you need someone to watch over you. If you have nothing to write on these pages, just tick the box saying 'no'. Explain if you have problems with your balance or Ménière's disease, for example, when you get up at night to go to the toilet you may fall.

Note: sections 5-10 are quite straightforward. Simply answer the questions asked.

Part 11 – Statement from someone who knows you

This page does not have to be filled in, but it will help your claim if it is. This page should be filled in by someone who really understands the difficulties you have because you are deaf and because of any other disabilities you have. For example, this may be a carer, relative, close friend, social worker or support worker.

Where can I get further information?

Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) (opens new browser window)

BEL Northern Ireland (opens new browser window)

Citizens advice bureau (CAB) (opens new browser window)

Directgov
 (opens new browser window)

Disability Alliance (opens new browser window)

Disability Benefits Helpline (opens new browser window)
 (external link, opens new browser window)

Jobcentre Plus (opens new browser window)

Law centres (opens new browser window)

Tax credits helpline (opens new browser window)

Telephone: 0845 300 3900
Textphone: 0845 300 3909
(Open 8.00am to 8.00pm, seven days a week)

Northern Ireland

Telephone: 0845 603 2000
Textphone: 0845 607 6078
(Open 8.00am to 8.00pm, seven days a week)
Website: New Tax Credits (external link, opens new browser window)

Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland you may find it useful to visit the Department for Social Development website (external link, opens new browser window) which gives you information about benefits.

Welfare rights advice centres

See your phonebook for details of your local welfare rights advice centre.

Further information from RNID

We offer a wide range of information on many aspects of deafness and hearing loss. Contact us for further copies of this factsheet and the full range of our information factsheets and leaflets.

RNID Information Line
19-23 Featherstone Street
London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
Fax 020 7296 8199
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk 
RNID website (external link, opens new browser window)

RNID offices in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

We have offices throughout the UK. For more local advice if you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales contact:

RNID Cymru

Tudor House
16 Cathedral Road
Cardiff CF11 9LJ
Telephone: 029 2033 3034
Textphone: 029 2033 3036.
Fax: 029 2033 3035.
Email: rnidcymru@rnid.org.uk

RNID Northern Ireland

Wilton House
5 College Square North
Belfast BT1 6AR
Telephone: 028 9023 9619
Textphone: 028 9031 2033
Videophone: 028 9043 8354
Fax: 028 9031 2032
Email: rnidni@rnid.org.uk

RNID Scotland

Empire House
131 West Nile Street
Glasgow G1 2RX
Telephone: 0141 341 5330
Textphone: 0141 341 5347
Fax: 0141 354 0176
Email: rnidscotland@rnid.org.uk

RNID Welfare Rights Service

The RNID Welfare Rights Service provides free, confidential, independent information, advice and representation about social security law and its administration. Formerly known as the Legal Casework Service, we now focus specifically on welfare rights issues. We provide information and assistance to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing obtain their correct benefit entitlements. We also advise on claims that need to be made. If we cannot help, we can refer people to organisations that can help them complete forms or advise on housing, debt or immigration issues.