Care component of DLA

is for people who need help with personal care.

Children can only receive the care component if they are 3 months old or over.

The lower rate is -

for people who need help during a significant part of the day (but less help than for the middle rate);

for people over the age of 16 who need help to prepare a cooked main meal; or

for children under 16 who need some help during the day.

the middle rate is -

for people who need frequent help during the day; or

prolonged or repeated help during the night; or

for children under 16 who need help during the day; or

for children under 16 who need help during the night.

the higher rate is -

for people who satisfy one of the middle rate day conditions and one of the middle rate night conditions.

Mobility component of DLA

is for people aged 3 or 5 or over.

It is payable at one of two rates.

The lower rate may be payable from age 5 and the higher rate from age 3.

The lower rate is -

payable to people who cannot walk outside on unfamiliar routes without someone to guide or supervise them for most of the time.

The higher rate is payable to people who are -

unable or virtually unable to walk

have had both legs amputated at or above the ankle

born without legs or feet

both deaf and blind; or

severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and entitled to the higher rate of the care component.