Guides and resources

Samaritans (opens in a new tab)

Free emotional support from trained volunteers, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

All UK nations116 123

Shout (opens in a new tab)

Free, 24/7 text-based crisis support for anyone in distress. Text 85258 to get started.

All UK nations

Scope (opens in a new tab)

Disability charity offering online advice, a disability helpline and a community forum for disabled people and their families.

All UK nations0808 800 3333

Equality Advisory and Support Service (opens in a new tab)

Advice on equality and discrimination issues in England, Scotland and Wales, including disability discrimination in work, education and services.

England, Scotland, Wales0808 800 0082

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)

Public body offering advice on disability discrimination in Northern Ireland, including guidance for individuals, employers and service providers.

Northern Ireland only028 9050 0600

Access to Work (opens in a new tab)

GOV.UK grants for practical support at work, such as specialist equipment, support workers, travel costs and mental health support.

England, Scotland, Wales

GOV.UK: Personal Independence Payment (opens in a new tab)

Official information on Personal Independence Payment, who can claim, how to apply and the support available with the claim.

England, Wales

GOV.UK: Disability Living Allowance for children (opens in a new tab)

Official information on Disability Living Allowance for children in England and Wales, including eligibility and what happens at 16.

England, Wales

GOV.UK: Carer's Allowance (opens in a new tab)

Official information on Carer's Allowance for carers in England and Wales, including eligibility rules and how to claim.

England, Wales

nidirect: Disability Living Allowance for children (opens in a new tab)

Official Northern Ireland information on Disability Living Allowance for children, including eligibility, how to claim and the move to PIP at 16.

Northern Ireland only

nidirect: Personal Independence Payment (opens in a new tab)

Official Northern Ireland information on Personal Independence Payment, including age rules, how to apply and how to challenge a decision.

Northern Ireland only

nidirect: Carers assessments (opens in a new tab)

Official Northern Ireland information on carer's assessments from Health and Social Care Trusts, including who is entitled and how to ask.

Northern Ireland only

mygov.scot: Child Disability Payment (opens in a new tab)

Official Scottish Government information on Child Disability Payment, including eligibility, the rules on diagnosis and how to apply.

Scotland only

mygov.scot: Carer Support Payment (opens in a new tab)

Official Scottish Government information on Carer Support Payment, the Scottish benefit for carers of people who receive a qualifying benefit.

Scotland only

Social Security Scotland (opens in a new tab)

Executive agency of the Scottish Government that runs devolved benefits including Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment and Carer Support Payment.

Scotland only

NHS: Autism (opens in a new tab)

NHS information about autism, including signs in children and adults, autism assessments and where to find support in England.

England only

National Autistic Society (opens in a new tab)

UK charity offering autism advice, diagnosis and assessment services, family support, education services and an Autism Services Directory.

All UK nations

National Autistic Society Cymru (opens in a new tab)

The National Autistic Society's Wales service, providing support, advice and information for autistic people and their families in Wales.

Wales only

Scottish Autism (opens in a new tab)

Scotland's autism charity offering family support, peer support, advice services, training and community services across Scotland.

Scotland only01259 222022

Autism NI (opens in a new tab)

Northern Ireland's autism charity offering a helpline, support for autistic adults, young people, parents and carers, and autism training.

Northern Ireland only028 9040 1729

Ambitious about Autism (opens in a new tab)

Charity supporting autistic young people aged 13 to 25 to make friends and find opportunities, with advice for families and specialist education.

England only

Autistica (opens in a new tab)

UK autism research charity that runs research projects, campaigns and free resources, including tips and wellbeing tools for autistic people.

All UK nations

Contact (opens in a new tab)

Free helpline and support for parents and carers of disabled children and young people aged birth to 25, including benefits advice and SEND updates.

All UK nations0808 808 3555

IPSEA (opens in a new tab)

Charity giving free, independent legal information and template letters on special educational needs and disability law in England.

England only

Carers UK (opens in a new tab)

Charity for unpaid carers offering advice on financial support, practical support, work, health and wellbeing, plus an online community.

All UK nations

Citizens Advice (opens in a new tab)

Independent advice on benefits in England and Wales, including Personal Independence Payment, Child Benefit and Universal Credit.

England, Wales

YoungMinds (opens in a new tab)

Mental health charity offering information and advice for young people, parents and carers, and professionals, with a Parents Helpline.

England, Scotland, Wales

Mencap (opens in a new tab)

Charity for people with a learning disability and their families and carers, offering a free helpline, an advice hub and employment support.

England, Wales

Advice NI (opens in a new tab)

Independent advice network in Northern Ireland offering advice on benefits, money and debt, and family entitlements.

Northern Ireland only0800 915 4604