Where to Find Support as a Disabled, Neurodiverse, and Chronically Ill Person in the UK
By Emma Baker
Completely stuck when it comes to accessing support? Perhaps you’re newly diagnosed and looking to see what help is out there, or your situation has changed.
In this guide, we’ve found support services, benefits, and places to access advice so you don’t have to.
You can skip to the most relevant part of this guide, by using the contents page here.
Contents
Personal Independent Payment (PIP)
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Carer’s Allowance
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
Disability Premiums
Universal Credit
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Credit
Benefits Calculators
Discounts and Support with Travel
Blue Badge
Disabled Persons Railcard
Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
Motability
Vehicle Tax Reduction
Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
Discounts and Support In the Home
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG)
Local Authority Smaller Adaptations Grants
Personal Budgets and Direct Payments
Council Tax Support
VAT Relief
Energy, Internet/Telephone, and Water Schemes
TV Licence Discount
Access to Work
Work and Health Programme
Intensive Personalised Employment Support
SIC Learning Hub
Evenbreak
With Not For
Enable
PRS Inclusion Services
Toucan Employment
DFN Project Search
My Students Plus Club
Send it to Alex
Radical Recruit and BRadical
Specific Charities
Joyfully Different
Flown
Radar Key
Citizens Advice
Turn2Us
NHS Low Income Scheme
Social Media
Government Financial Support
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Who’s it for: Disabled adults who have a long-term physical or mental health condition and have difficulties with certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition.
Where to apply: Via the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) here.
If you’re between the ages of 16 and state pension age you could be eligible for PIP. There are different rules for those aged under 16, over the state pension age, or who have less than 12 months to live.
PIP is separated into two parts: daily living and mobility, and you could be entitled to either or both. As part of the application, you will need to fill in a form describing how your disability affects you, and most people will be asked to attend a medical assessment.
For many, PIP applications are highly stressful and include many stages. We’ve found a great TikTok account, @adhdcareerwoman Chantelle Knight, that has advice for those on their application journey.
You can also seek advice from Scope, Citizens Advice, Disability Rights UK, and Turn2Us.
Benefits and Work and Fightback4justice have information on PIP too. It is worth noting that they charge for some of their more detailed information such as sample evidence submissions, medical reports, and diaries.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance
Who’s it for: Disabled adults whose disability or health condition affects how much they can work.
Where to apply: Via DWP here.
If you’re an adult aged 16+, under state pension age and have a disability that affects how much you can work, you might be eligible for ESA. You can get ESA if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed. However, there are conditions to working while claiming ESA.
You will have to show that you have a limited capability for work, which might involve completing the ‘work capability assessment’. Scope, Citizens Advice, Disability Rights UK, and Turn2Us have more information to help you claim ESA.
Benefits and Work and Fightback4justice also have information on ESA. There is a charge for the more detailed guides.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
https://www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children
Who’s it for: Any disabled child aged under 16 might qualify for DLA.
Where to apply: You’ll need to complete a form available here.
DLA can help with the extra costs of bringing up your child if they have difficulty getting about or need more help than a non-disabled child of the same age. Much like PIP, there are two components to DLA: the care component and the mobility component. The rate the child gets depends on the level of help they need. Once the claimant turns 16, they will be asked to transfer to PIP.
It can be a challenging experience for parents claiming DLA for their children. We recommend looking at the help offered by Scope, Citizens Advice, and Contact. You can also use their helplines for support.
Benefits and Work and Fightback4justice have information on DLA too. There is a charge for the more detailed guides.
Carer’s Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance
Who’s it for: Any adult who provides at least 35 hours of care per week for someone who is ill or has a disability. You do not need to be related to or living with the person you care for.
Where to apply: Via the government website here.
The type of care you provide can help with everyday tasks such as washing and cooking, attending medical appointments, and household jobs like shopping and budgeting.
The person you care for has to get certain benefits - the full list is on the government’s eligibility website. It can affect other benefits that both you and the person you care for get, so it is worth checking the government’s information on how it can affect other benefits.
Carer’s UK has useful information and a factsheet to help you claim Carer’s Allowance.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa
Who’s it for: Students on designated higher education courses who have a disability that affects their ability to study.
Where to apply: Via the government website here.
DSA is a grant so does not need to be paid back and is available to qualifying students studying in higher education. It covers the costs you incur as a result of studying with your disability. It can pay for specialist equipment like a printer, ergonomic chairs and software such as text-to-speech applications. It can also pay for non-medical helper support like mentoring, as well as travel costs and ink and paper for printing.
More information is available on Disability Rights UK and Save The Student.
Disability Premiums
https://www.gov.uk/disability-premiums
Who’s it for: Disabled people on certain benefits.
Where to access: You do not have to claim a disability premium as it should be automatically added to your account, but you can contact the office for the benefit you are claiming if you think you are eligible.
Disabled premiums are extra amounts of money added to your benefits because you are disabled. Only these benefits are eligible for disability premiums: income-based job seeker’s allowance, income support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and housing benefit.
There are 3 types of disability premiums: enhanced disability premium, severe disability premium, and disability premium. How much you receive depends on which premium you get, and each premium has different eligibility criteria, which you can find via the government website here.
Universal Credit
https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
Who’s it for: People of working age who are on a low income or unemployed.
Where to apply: Via the government website here.
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit that has replaced other means-tested benefits such as housing benefit and jobseeker’s allowance. It helps you with your living costs, and you have to meet certain criteria in order to be eligible, which you can find on the government’s website here. There is a standard amount as well as extra amounts depending on if you have children, limited capability for work, are a carer, or need help with your housing costs.
Citizens Advice has more information about Universal Credit, and the government has a specific website to help you understand Universal Credit called ‘Understanding Universal Credit’.
Benefits and Work and Fightback4justice have information on Universal Credit too. There is a charge for the more detailed guides.
Attendance Allowance
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance
Who’s it for: Disabled people of state pension age or older.
Where to apply: Via the government website here.
If you’ve reached state pension age and have a disability, you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance. You do not need to have someone caring for you to claim as it is based on the care you need and not what you are getting, and your other benefits may increase. There are 2 different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need.
Carers UK has more information about attendance allowance.
Carer’s Credit
https://www.gov.uk/carers-credit
Who’s it for: Anyone who cares for someone for at least 20 hours a week.
Where to apply: Via the government website here.
Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record. It can be helpful if you’re not claiming Carer’s Allowance or if you’re not earning. You do not get paid extra money with Carer’s Credit, but it helps to protect your pension rights if you’re caring for someone but not paying National Insurance contributions through paid work, or if you’re unable to claim Carer’s Allowance. If you already claim Carer’s Allowance, you do not need to claim Carer’s Credit as your pension is already protected.
Carer’s UK has more information on Carer’s Credit.
Benefits Calculators
You can use a benefits calculator to find out what sort of support you could be entitled to. You can find more information on the government website here.
Discounts and Support with Travel
Blue Badge
Who’s it for: Disabled people who struggle with their mobility or getting from one place to another.
Where to apply: Via the government website here.
Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions to park closer to their destination. Normally you can park for free in the allocated disabled bays and also on double yellow lines. You can have a blue badge if you are a driver or a passenger. Sometimes, you'll automatically be given a blue badge. For example, if you score 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ section of PIP or you score 10 points under descriptor E in the ‘planning and following journeys’ section of PIP.
Disabled Persons Rail Card
https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/
Who’s it for: Disabled people who meet certain criteria. You can check your eligibility on their website here.
Where to apply: Via their website here.
If you meet the criteria, for example, you receive certain benefits or have eligible conditions, you may be able to get a disabled person’s rail card. It will save you ⅓ on the majority of train tickets.
Disabled Person's Bus Pass
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass
Who’s it for: Disabled people who meet certain criteria. You can usually find these criteria on your local authority’s website.
Where to apply: You apply via your local authority, which you can find using the government postcode checker here. This is only available for England, but you can access Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland via the same link and click on your relevant country.
A disabled person’s bus pass lets you travel for free across England during off-peak times (9:30 am-11 pm on weekdays, all day during weekends and public holidays). You may even be entitled to free bus travel at all times in your local area. Some areas also give people with a disabled person’s bus pass free travel on other modes of public transport, so check to see what your local authority provides.
Motability
Who’s it for: People who receive a qualifying mobility allowance
Where to access: Via their website here.
The Motability Scheme is a charity-operated programme that enables people with disabilities to exchange their mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter, or powered wheelchair. You get a brand new vehicle, insurance, breakdown, MOT and servicing cover. Should you choose to have an electric vehicle with Motability, they will arrange and cover the standard cost of a home charge-point and its installation, or give you access to the BP pulse network of over 9,000 public charge-points.
Vehicles can also be fitted with adaptations according to your needs. These include adaptations to help you drive, get in and out of your vehicle, and store equipment.
Vehicle Tax Reduction
Who’s it for: Disabled people who receive certain benefits.
Where to access: See the government website here.
If you’re eligible, you may be able to receive a partial or full reduction of your vehicle tax. See the government website for the full list of eligibility.
Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/
Who’s it for: People who receive qualifying benefits and have a referral to an NHS specialist or hospital for further treatment and tests.
Where to apply: Information on how to claim is available via the NHS website here.
If you're referred to a hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a full or partial refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). Reasonable means the cheapest suitable mode of travel for your needs.
The scheme is part of the NHS Low Income Scheme which also covers other expenses such as prescriptions and glasses.
Discounts and Support in the Home
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG)
https://www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants
Who’s it for: Disabled people who need to make changes to their homes. These are usually changes that involve a lot of work.
Where to access: Through your local council, which you can find here.
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) help towards the costs of making changes to your home so you can continue to live there. They are usually paid by your local authority and are subject to a financial means test which determines if you will be asked to contribute towards the costs of the work. If the work is for a disabled child, the grant will not be means tested. DFGs are not available in Scotland, but you can find out more about support for equipment and adaptations in Scotland here.
Examples of adaptations include: widening doors, installing ramps, grab rails, a stairlift and a level access shower, providing a heating system suitable to your needs, building a downstairs bedroom, and improving access to your garden. For smaller adaptations, please see our section below on Local Authority Smaller Adaptations Grants.
The government funds an organisation called Foundations which can help you to apply.
Local Authority Smaller Adaptations Grants
Who’s it for: Disabled people who need to make changes to their homes. Usually, these are smaller changes than those a Disabled Facilities Grant would cover.
Where to access: Through your local council, which you can find here.
For smaller adaptations to your home that do not come under Disabled Facilities Grants, most local councils will have their own grants for these. Usually, these adaptations are not means tested and may even be covered in full by your local council.
Different councils have different eligibility and application processes for smaller adaptation grants, so check with your local authority to find out what you may be entitled to. It is best to contact them directly and ask what help is available, as they may not provide full information on their websites.
Personal Budgets and Direct Payments
Who’s it for: Disabled people who are eligible for social care and support services.
Where to access: Ask your local council about Personal Budgets and Direct Payments. You can find your local council here.
A “Personal Budget” is an agreed amount of money given to you by your local council after an assessment of your needs. It allows you to decide and control how you organise your care and support.
You can use your personal budget to receive direct payments to manage your own care, have your council manage your budget and your care, or a mixture of both. Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be asked to contribute towards the costs of your care.
“Direct Payments” are money you receive from your local council which you use to arrange your own care services, giving you greater flexibility and control over your care needs.
Disability Rights UK and the NHS have more information on Personal Budgets and Direct Payments. Carers UK and Citizens Advice have more information on Direct Payments.
Council Tax Support
Who’s it for: Support with paying your council tax is available to people who meet certain criteria. You can find out more via the government website here.
Where to access: The easiest way to find out if you’re eligible for help with your council tax is to contact your local authority. You can find your local authority here.
If you’re on a low income or claim benefits, your council tax bill could be reduced by up to 100%. You can apply if you rent, own your own home, are unemployed, or working. Some people do not need to pay council tax at all, such as students, full-time carers, or someone with a severe mental impairment exemption. You can also get a council tax discount if you live by yourself, known as a single-person discount.
There are three main ways you can get support with your council tax. These are disabled band reduction, single person discount, and council tax reduction. Some are means-tested and others are not. Contact your local council to find out if you are eligible.
VAT Relief
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-relief-on-certain-goods-if-you-have-a-disability
Who’s it for: Disabled people.
Where to access: You have to declare to the supplier that you are entitled to VAT relief, which usually requires you to complete a form, a bit like the one the government supplies here.
If you’re disabled or have a long-term illness, you may not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted to help with your disability. You will also not be charged for the installation, maintenance, and spare parts for these products.
Eligible products include wheelchairs, ramps, stairlifts, lifting equipment, computer equipment, and goods that have been designed specifically for the disabled person’s use.
You can read more about VAT relief via the government website here.
Energy, Internet/Telephone and Water Schemes
Who’s it for: Disabled people
Where to access: Contact your suppliers.
You might be eligible for priority services from your energy provider if you are disabled. You usually have to contact your energy supplier directly if you think you should be added to the scheme. Ofgem has more information.
Some internet and telephone providers offer support to those with disabilities. For example, BT offers a free priority fault repair scheme, so it is worth speaking to your provider to find out more.
WaterSure and WaterHelp are schemes which help some people pay their water bills. For example, if you have a medical condition that uses a lot of water and if you are on certain benefits. You apply for the scheme through your water company and you will need to supply evidence of your eligibility. Contact your water company to find out more.
More information is also available via Citizens Advice.
TV Licence Discount
Who’s it for: Blind or severely sight-impaired people and people over 60 who meet certain criteria.
Where to access: Information on how to apply can be found on the government website here.
If you’re registered blind or severely sight impaired, or you live with someone who is registered blind or severely sight impaired, you may be eligible for a discount on the cost of your TV licence. The licence must be in the disabled person’s name.
You can also get a TV licence discount if you are over 75 and are receiving pension credit, if you live in residential care and are disabled, or live in residential care and are over 60 and are retired.
Careers Support
Access to Work
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Who’s it for: Access to Work is for disabled people in the workplace.
Where to apply: Via the government website here.
Access to Work is a government programme that helps disabled people start or stay at work.
Access to Work will consider paying grants of up to 100% for self-employed people, people who have been working for less than 6 weeks when they first apply for Access to Work, those applying via the Mental Health Support Service, and the costs of support workers, additional travel to work and travel in work costs, and communication support at interviews.
The level of grant will depend on whether you’re employed or self-employed, how long you’ve been in your job, and the type of help required.
Work and Health programme
https://www.gov.uk/work-health-programme
Who’s it for: Anyone who is out of work and needs help finding and keeping a job if you’re out of work, you do not need to be claiming benefits to apply.
Where to access support: You will need to ask your work coach if you’re eligible, and they will apply for you. If you don’t have a work coach, go to your local JobCentre Plus and ask to speak to a work coach about the Work and Health Programme. More information and where to find your local JobCentre Plus is available on the government website here.
The Work and Health Programme helps you find and keep a job if you’re out of work. You’ll get personal support to help you with things like identifying your employment needs, matching your skills to work that’s available and managing health problems to reduce their impact on work.
You can watch this YouTube video from the Shaw Trust to learn more about the programme.
Intensive Personalised Employment Support
https://www.gov.uk/intensive-personalised-employment-support
Who’s it for: Disabled people in England and Wales.
Where to access: Ask your work coach, or contact your local Jobcentre Plus and ask to speak to a work coach about Intensive Personalised Employment Support. You can contact your local Jobcentre Plus here.
Intensive Personalised Employment Support is one-to-one support and training if you have a disability and face complex barriers to getting into work. The scheme offers a holistic approach focusing on more than just getting a job, such as confidence building, a personalised job search strategy, tailored work support, and more.
SIC Learning Hub
https://www.siclearninghub.co.uk/
Who’s it for: Disabled and neurodiverse jobseekers
Where to access support: Via our website here.
SIC have been around for a few years now. As well as supporting employers and encouraging them to make real changes, we also provide tonnes of free support to disabled people.
You can access stories and interviews in our magazine here and access completely free e-learning here. Our first course, an Introduction to Work covers CV skills, interviews, cover letters, and talking about career gaps and reasonable adjustments.
Evenbreak
Who’s it for: Disabled jobseekers.
Where to access support: Via their website here.
Evenbreak is a UK job board that connects disabled and neurodiverse job seekers with inclusive employers. They provide access to job opportunities, career guidance, and support for candidates with disabilities and neurodiverse conditions, all for free.
Reassuringly, the employers who advertise on Evenbreak are actively aiming to attract disabled candidates.
You can sign up to receive their job alerts, search their list of employers where you can read a summary of the type of work they do as well as their attitudes to inclusion and diversity, and access their career advice specifically aimed at disabled candidates in the form of short, easy to read articles.
With Not For
Who’s it for: Disabled job seekers
Where to access support: Via their website here.
With Not For is a disability-led social enterprise that provides employment support to disabled people. They offer services, including one-to-one coaching, mentoring, and workshops on CV writing and interview skills.
They coach and support disabled talent, much like us at SIC, and collaborate with employers to integrate disabled people into their workplace.
Designed as a more personalised match-making platform With Not For acts as a recruitment agency, matching disabled people with jobs.
Enable
Who’s it for: People in Scotland with learning disabilities.
Where to access support: Via their website here.
Enable is a charity based in Scotland that strives to deliver an equal society for everyone, where all the assets of individuals are fully realised. They support people, employers, and communities by providing social care tailored to the needs, wants and aspirations of individuals. They also provide a variety of work programmes for job seekers and employers and work within communities to help people with learning disabilities feel connected, valued, and respected.
Through their services, you can access their self-directed support (SDS) advice which offers anyone with a learning disability accessible information, advice and 1:1 support, with no time limit. They also provide welfare rights advice, an internationally renowned personal assistant model, help to enable people to live independently in the community they choose, training and employability programmes, job opportunities, and much more.
PRS Inclusion Services
https://prsinclusionservices.com/
Who’s it for: Disabled adults.
Where to access support: Via their website here.
PRS offers personal development opportunities and inclusion services throughout the North East of England, helping disabled people live confidently in the life they choose. They offer professionally run services to challenge and empower life beyond school.
Their highly trained and qualified team matches your needs to a wide variety of the latest local projects, services and courses to find the right opportunities for you
Some of the services they provide include activities and leisure, work experience, education, and transition to employment. They also provide programmes on personal development, social and leisure, and employability.
Toucan Employment
https://www.toucanemployment.org/
Who’s it for: People with learning difficulties/disabilities and/or autism in London.
Where to find support: Via their website here.
Toucan Employment helps people with learning difficulties and differences get into employment. They promote the inclusion of disability in the workplace, providing much-needed, life-changing support that they tailor to meet the precise needs of both their job seekers and London employers.
They find jobs in small and large businesses, provide one-to-one support to make sure you are matched to the role best suited for you and help businesses recruit and retain new employees.
At present, they only have funding to support people from Southwark, Lambeth, and Lewisham, as well as volunteering and training opportunities at their allotment plot in Wembley (Brent). This does change, so it is advised you get in contact so they can let you know if there is more availability, and they can suggest other places to get support in the meantime.
DFN Project Search
https://www.dfnprojectsearch.org/
Who’s it for: Young people with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition, or both.
Where to access support: Programmes are announced via their website here and on their social media.
DFN Project Search is a transition-to-work programme for young adults with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition, or both. The
programme provides real work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills delivered in a business setting to help young people make successful transitions to productive adult life.
They partner with organisations across the public, private, and voluntary sectors to create supported employment internships, helping people to take positive first steps into the world of work.
My Students’ Plus Club
https://myplusstudentsclub.com/
Who’s it for: Disabled students and graduates.
Where to access support: Via their website here.
My Students’ Plus Club helps students and graduates with disabilities land their dream jobs. They work with top graduate employers and university services to help students realise their career potential, providing essential advice and employer contacts.
On their website, you can browse professional and student jobs from disability-confident employers. These include internships and graduate schemes. They also host a range of online and in-person events where you can get to know industries and hone your employability skills.
You can also find detailed career guides on their website like the recruitment process, as well as templates that help you with things like communicating your strengths, explaining a gap in your CV and being open about your disability.
Send it to Alex
Who’s it for: Neurodiverse people who are applying for Access to Work.
Where to access support: Via their website.
Send it to Alex specialises in providing neurodiverse people with support workers.
They provide free support for neurodiverse professionals through their Access to Work application and then help them to find a support worker if they’re eligible for one.
Our founder, Alice, actually used their service for her own Access to Work application.
Radical Recuit and B Radical
Who’s it for: Jobseekers from underrepresented communities including the disabled and neurodiverse.
Where to access support: Complete their Contact Us form to register as a candidate here.
B-Radical is a recruitment company with a different. They work with people who experience barriers to employment and help them to find jobs.
They rigorously vet their employers to make sure that they can support you in the best workplace for your needs.
Radical Recruit is their charity arm, supporting those furthest away from the workforce with more tailored and one-to-one support.
Other
Specific charities
Who’s it for: Some support will be easily accessible, but for more individual support you may want to contact a relevant charity.
Where to access: Normally through the charity’s website, but each charity will have its own application process, especially for more individual support.
Most conditions have specific charitable support available. This can be anything from financial support, to support and guidance in the workplace, and understanding and managing your condition. There are also charities offering more general disability support, such as Scope and Disability Rights UK.
Examples of specific charities include:
The MS Society
The ME Association
There are many more, so it is worth doing a quick internet search of charities that support your condition. Most NHS pages of specific conditions will contain links to relevant charities too.
Joyfully Different
Who’s it for: Neurodiverse entrepreneurs and freelancers
Where to access support: Via their website here.
Joyfully Different is a community for neurodiverse entrepreneurs and freelancers. The team, Alice Reeves and Mark Blake, host regular online and in-person events and meetings and the community can reach each other via a Discord channel.
This is about building community and creating links with other people in a similar situation.
There is a small monthly fee to join.
Flown
Who it’s for: Anyone who would benefit from co-working, particularly neurodivergent people
Where to access support: Via their website here
Flown offers a variety of co-working sessions to help you get work done virtually. This is really helpful if you struggle to be productive without body-doubling or co-working.
They offer support with 20-minute morning routines, breathing sessions, and music for focus.
There is a small monthly fee to join.
Radar Key
Who’s it for: Disabled people who need access to accessible toilets.
Where to access: You can purchase an official radar key from Disability Rights UK here, or your local council may be able to give you one. Other places supply radar keys but make sure they are official before making a purchase.
A radar key grants access to over 10,000 disabled toilets in the UK.
It can also be used to access Changing Places toilets and some accessible countryside gates. They normally cost around £5.
Radar keys were introduced because it was difficult for disabled people to find free, clean and accessible toilets due to public misuse or poor management of facilities.
If you purchase a radar key, make sure it is an official one. If you have an older radar key it will be completely silver. However, the newer style keys have a blue heart fob.
Citizens Advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Who’s it for: Anyone wanting advice on a wide variety of issues.
Where to access: Via their website here.
Each year, Citizens Advice helps millions of people by providing advice, education and support, as well as influencing policies. They offer confidential advice over the phone, online, and in person. Their services, which are free, include debt and money advice, immigration advice, law and court advice, benefits advice where they can help you fill in your claim forms, and much more.
As Citizens Advice is a charity, try their website before going into one of their branches or giving them a call as wait times can be long.
Turn2Us
Who’s it for: Anyone seeking financial advice.
Where to access: Via their website here.
Turn2us is a charity that provides practical help for people who are struggling financially. They have detailed guides on different sorts of benefits and support available for disabled people. They also have a helpline and suggestions of ways to navigate their website depending on your situation.
NHS Low Income Scheme
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/
Who’s it for: Anyone with a low income.
Where to apply: Via the NHS website here.
If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs. The scheme covers things like prescription costs, dental costs, eyecare costs, healthcare travel costs, and wigs and fabric support. You can apply for the scheme as long as your savings, investments or property (not including where you live) do not exceed the capital limit. Depending on your circumstances, you could receive full help or partial help.
Social Media
There are many ways to access support through social media. Instagram has a lovely disabled community where people share their personal lived experiences of their disabilities. You can connect with other disabled people and find support through understanding and allyship. There are also accounts promoting well-being and mental health.
TikTok too is a great place where people raise awareness of their disabilities and share their experiences. There are also many Facebook groups where you can ask questions, connect and chat with people who are often going through the same things as you.
No idea where to begin? Here are some social accounts to get you started:
@stacieswift (Instagram)
@spoonie_village (Instagram)
@lifeofpippa (Instagram)
@i_weigh (Instagram)
@neurodivergent_lou (Instagram)
@innaboxdesign (Instagram)
@adhdcareerwoman (TikTok)
Looking for more advice and support? Make sure you’re following SIC on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn where we regularly share advice, tips, and information from our community.