Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance payment rates

A new benefit called Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (Scottish Adult DLA) is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for all adults in Scotland.

You cannot apply for Scottish Adult DLA. Your DLA will move to Scottish Adult DLA automatically.

Find out more about DLA moving to Scottish Adult DLA.

Scottish Adult DLA is made up of the same 2 components, or parts, as DLA:

• care
• mobility

You’ll be eligible for the same components when you move to Scottish Adult DLA. The amount you’re paid for each one will usually not change as a result of the move. 

If you have a terminal illness

You may be paid more if your benefit starts moving because you’ve reported a terminal illness to DWP.

Find out the payment rates you’ll get for Scottish Adult DLA if you have a terminal illness.

Care component

You might get the care component if you need help with things like:

• washing and bathing
• dressing and undressing
• eating and drinking
• using the toilet
• communicating your needs
• keeping yourself and others safe
• preparing food

You might also get the care component if you’re on dialysis.

How much you'll get

There are 3 different payment rates for the care component.

The weekly rate you get depends on the level of help you need.

Lowest, middle and higher care component rates and the level of help you need to be eligible for each.

Care component	Weekly rate	Level of help you need
Lowest	£29.20	Help for some of the day or with preparing cooked meals.
Middle	£73.90	Frequent help or constant supervision during the day or supervision at night or someone to supervise or help you with dialysis.
Highest	£110.40	Help or supervision throughout both day and night, or a medical professional has said you have a terminal illness.

Limitations of the care component

There are some limitations of the lowest rate of the care component. This applies to you after you’ve reached whichever is later of:

• your State Pension age
• 65 years old

If your needs or condition changes, you cannot become eligible for the lowest rate of the care component.

Depending on the change, you might either:

• stop getting the care component
• get a higher rate

Check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.

Mobility component

You might get the mobility component if you:

• cannot walk
• have difficulty walking
• could become very ill if you try to walk
• need guidance or supervision when moving around outdoors 
• have a visual or hearing impairment, or both

How much you'll get

There are 2 different payment rates for the mobility component. 

The weekly rate you get depends on the level of help you need.

Lower and higher mobility component rates and the level of help you need to be eligible for each.

Mobility component	Weekly rate	Level of help you need
Lower	£29.20	Guidance or supervision when moving around outdoors.
Higher	£77.05	Any other, more severe walking difficulties.

Limitations of the mobility component

There are some limitations of the mobility component. This applies to you after you’ve reached whichever is later of:

• your State Pension age
• 65 years old

If your needs or condition changes you cannot:

• become eligible for the mobility component 
• move to a higher or lower rate of the mobility component

Depending on the change, you might stop getting the mobility component if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria.

Check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.

Lease an accessible vehicle

If you’re on the higher rate for the mobility component, you may be eligible to apply for an accessible vehicle through the Motability scheme. Social Security Scotland will help you pay the lease using all or part of your mobility component of Scottish Adult DLA.

Find out more about how to apply for an accessible vehicle.

If you already have a Motability lease, find out more about what will happen with your lease when your benefit moves to Scottish Adult DLA.