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Who is eligible?

You can't make a new claim for Severe Disablement Allowance.

But if you're already getting the allowance - you'll continue to receive it.

You may be entitled to SDA if before April 2001 you were assessed as being 80 per cent disabled and you were:

How much do you get?

£57.45 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. For example if before April 2001 you were:

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, a cheque can be sent to cash at the Post Office®.

From April 2009 Jobcentre Plus are introducing changes to the day and how often you are paid Severe Disablement Allowance. The changes could move the day you are paid, this day will be determined by your National Insurance number. The changes also mean you will be paid at least every two weeks. For more information follow the link below.

• Changes to the day your benefit is paid Opens new window

Effect on other benefits or tax credits

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

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

• Income Support
• Employment and Support Allowance (disabled people section)
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit

How to claim

You can't claim Severe Disablement Allowance if you're not getting it already.

But you may be able to claim if your claim links back before April 2001 - when you were entitled to Severe Disablement Allowance.

What to do if your circumstances change

It's important you contact your Jobcentre Plus or social security office if your circumstances change. For example if:

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 Plus office or social security office.

• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

How to appeal

If you disagree with a decision, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. But if you have a query about your current payment, you can contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your claim.

• How to appeal against a benefits decision
• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

What else you need to know

If you think you'd 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 call the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200 (8.30 am to 6.30 pm Monday to Friday, and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays).

For more information, you can contact your local Jobcentre Plus or social security office.

• Incapacity Benefit (disabled people section)
• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

More useful links

• Guide to financial support for disabled people (disabled people section)
• What to do about gaps in your National Insurance record