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Disabled People

Severe Disablement Allowance

Since April 2001 it has not been possible to make a new claim for Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA). Before April 2001, you may have been able to claim it if you'd been unable to work for at least 28 weeks in a row because of an illness or disability.

Who is eligible?

You can't make a new claim for Severe Disablement Allowance. But if you've been getting the allowance before April 2001, you'll continue to receive it.

You may have been entitled to SDA (before April 2001) if you're assessed as being 80 per cent disabled and you were:

  • incapable of work because of illness or disability for at least 28 weeks in a row
  • between 16 and 64 years old (special conditions apply for people aged 65 and over)

How much do you get?

The current maximum weekly rate is £51.05 (if you've been getting Severe Disablement Allowance before April 2001).

You may be getting an age-related additional weekly amount depending on your age when you became unable to work. If before April 2001 you were:

  • under 40 years old, you are eligible for an extra £17.75 (higher rate)
  • 40-49, you are eligible for an extra £11.40 (middle rate)
  • 50-59, you are eligible for an extra £5.70 (lower rate)

How it's paid

Severe Disablement Allowance is paid into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account that accepts Direct Payment.

If you're registered blind or need someone who cares for you to collect your money, you'll be sent a cheque to be cashed at the Post Office.

Effect on other benefits or tax credits

There are some types of 'exempt work' you can do while getting Severe Disablement Allowance; ask your Jobcentre Plus or social security office for more details.

But if you're getting SDA and a wage, this could affect income-related benefits you may be receiving, like Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

How to claim

You cannot normally claim Severe Disablement Allowance if you're not getting it already. But you may be able to claim if you received Severe Disablement Allowance before April 2001 and

  • you stopped getting it for eight weeks or less or
  • you stopped getting it for less than 104 weeks because you started work or training.

If you think you may be able to claim or require further advice contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.

What to do if your circumstances change

It's important that you contact your Jobcentre if your circumstances change. For example if:

  • you do any work including voluntary work
  • you start training and get a training allowance
  • you change your address
  • you have been in hospital for 52 weeks and part of your benefit is paid for another adult or child
  • you go abroad

If you go abroad temporarily or permanently you may be entitled to some form of Severe Disablement Allowance overseas. For more information, you can contact your local Jobcentre.

What else you need to know

If you think you would have been entitled to Severe Disablement Allowance when it had been available before April 2001, you may now be eligible to claim Incapacity Benefit.

For general advice you can contact the Benefit Enquiry Line:

Telephone: 0800 88 22 00

Textphone: 0800 24 33 55

You can also use the RNID Typetalk service.

The Benefit Enquiry Line is open 8.30 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm Saturday.

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