DLA is a non exportable allowance but there was a cut off point whereby if you were granted it before that time you could still claim abroad, I am almost positive the cut off point was June 1992 and if I am right you should still be able to claim. If you have problems getting your money you could contact me as I have made a successful claim for my mother, received full back payment and a small sum for inconvenience but there are ways of doing this! Try phoning them first and let them know you were in receipt before the cut off point and see how you get on.
Regards Trudi