Disabled Persons Allowance
Disabled Persons Allowance (DPA) takes 25% off the rates on a home that has been adapted for a disabled person who lives there. Having a disability isn't enough on its own: the home has to have one of the qualifying adaptations.
Adaptations that qualify
The home must have at least one of these, and it must be essential or of major importance to the disabled person's needs:
- a room, other than a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, used wholly by the disabled person for treatment or therapy
- an extra kitchen for the disabled person
- an extra toilet for the disabled person, including an ensuite
- an extra bathroom
- enough floor space to use a wheelchair easily indoors
There must be a clear link between the adaptation and the person's disability.
What doesn't qualify
- Rearranging rooms, such as moving a bedroom downstairs, is unlikely to qualify.
- A wheelchair used only outdoors doesn't count for the floor space test.
- A disability without an adaptation in the home.
Income and savings don't matter at all.
What it is worth
The law sets DPA as the part of the bill that relates to 25% of the home's rateable capital value, which comes to 25% off the bill. Values above £400,000 are ignored, so the largest saving is on a £400,000 home.
| Capital value | Bill | 25% off | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| £50,000 | £502.55 | £125.64 | £376.91 |
| £100,000 | £1,005.10 | £251.28 | £753.82 |
| £150,000 | £1,507.65 | £376.91 | £1,130.74 |
| £200,000 | £2,010.20 | £502.55 | £1,507.65 |
| £300,000 | £3,015.30 | £753.83 | £2,261.47 |
| £400,000 or more | £4,020.40 | £1,005.10 | £3,015.30 |
How to apply
The person who pays the rates sends the DPA application form to LPS, by email or post. Include:
- the disabled person's National Insurance number
- information about the disability, with any supporting medical evidence
- details of the adaptations made to the home
LPS may ask the disabled person for permission to contact their GP, and someone from the DPA team may visit or ask for evidence of the adaptations. You can ask for an interpreter at the visit.
Keep paying your bill while you wait, including while you wait for a visit. If DPA is awarded, LPS refunds or credits the difference. The law generally doesn't allow DPA for any period before the start of the rating year in which you apply, so apply as soon as the adaptation is in place.
If you are refused
You can ask LPS to review the decision within 28 days of the notice. If you're still unhappy, you can appeal to the Northern Ireland Valuation Tribunal.
With other help
DPA can be held with Lone Pensioner Allowance. Where you also get Housing Benefit or Rate Relief, those are worked out on the bill after DPA has been taken off. LPS doesn't publish how DPA and LPA combine, so this site's calculator applies one at a time.
Questions
Does a disability on its own qualify for DPA?
No. The home must have a qualifying adaptation, such as an extra bathroom or enough floor space to use a wheelchair indoors, that the disabled person needs.
Is Disabled Persons Allowance means tested?
No. It isn't affected by income or savings.
Who applies for DPA?
The person who pays the rates on the home. That can be the disabled person or a member of their household.
Will someone visit my home?
Possibly. The DPA team may visit or ask for evidence of how the home has been adapted. You can ask for an interpreter.
Sources
Read on 2 November 2026. This guide explains the rules in plain words. It isn't legal or financial advice, and the decision on your bill is LPS's.