It is paid on top of other social security benefits and may actually increase the amount of any means-tested benefits you currently receive.

The care component is based on the help you need and not the help you actually get. It doesn't matter whether you live alone or with other people - or if you receive a lot of help and support, or very little.

The highest rate of the care component - currently £67.00 a week - is paid to those people who are so severally and/or mentally disabled that they require day and night attention and supervision to carry out their bodily functions and/or avoid endangering themselves or others. If you require this care either day or night you are paid the middle rate of £44.55 a week.

The lowest rate - £17.75 - is intended for people who need help from anther person with bodily functions at certain times of the day - in the morning or when going to bed for example - but can manage alone the rest of the time. It also applies if you are unable to cook a main meal, even if you have all the ingredients.

The mobility component

The mobility component is paid at two levels - £46.75 and £17.75 a week. The higher level applies if you are unable or virtually unable to walk because of your disability, have no legs or feet , are blind and deaf and need someone with you when walking outdoors, or if you are receiving the highest care component and have acute mental impairment which causes severe behavioural problems.

Should you be able to walk but need someone with you for guidance or supervision - if, for example, you are blind or have a mental impairment - the lower level will apply.

When and how to claim

Claim straight away - if you don't you may lose benefits. You normally need to have been ill or disabled for at least 3 months before you can claim DLA - unless you are claiming under the special rules for terminally ill people. But if you have recently become ill or disabled you can still make a claim
straight away to allow time for it to be processed. Payment will start after the 3 month qualifying period.

You can get further advice and a claim pack by: phoning the Benefit Enquiry Line FREE on 0800 882 200, or contacting your local Jobcentre Plus or Social Security office.

If you are helping someone with their application please take the time to discuss the questions with them and decide how best to explain their individual needs. Once the form is complete read or have them read it through to make sure the information is correct, then get them to sign it.

If they cannot sign the form, you can complete and sign it on their behalf.
There is a section on the form that addresses this.

For more information please try the following link www.direct.gov.uk