Disability support in England
The UK has no single scheme like Australia's NDIS. Support is split across the council, the NHS, the DWP and the education system, and each has its own rules. Here is the whole map in one place.
Find disability support near you
- Every provider from the CQC public register
- We check what funding you can get first
- Free, and we are not a care provider
It only takes a minute and it is free.
Where the money comes from
Most people qualify for more than one of these, and several are not means tested.
PIP
Up to £194.60 a week. Not means tested, scored on points not diagnosis.
Access to Work
Up to £69,260 a year for equipment, support workers and travel. Not means tested, never repaid.
Disabled Facilities Grant
Up to £30,000 for home adaptations. No means test at all for a disabled child.
Direct payments
Take your council budget as cash and employ your own personal assistants.
Section 117 aftercare
Free mental health aftercare after detention under section 3. Cannot be charged for, no time limit.
Carer's Allowance
£86.45 a week if you care 35+ hours. Savings ignored entirely.
Support by need
Counts are CQC-registered services in England, from data published 01 July 2026.
Learning disability and autism
13,417 registered services
Services registered to support people with a learning disability or autistic people.
Mental health
13,491 registered services
Services registered to support people with mental health needs.
Physical disability
18,544 registered services
Services registered to support people with a physical disability.
Sensory impairment
12,798 registered services
Services registered to support people with a sensory impairment.
Children and young people
3,600 registered services
Services registered to support children and young people aged 0 to 18.
Supported living
4,705 registered services
You hold your own tenancy and receive support to live independently. Common for adults with a learning disability or autistic adults.
Children and young people
EHC plans
Legally enforceable support up to age 25. Anyone can request an assessment, and the council has 20 weeks to issue a final plan.
EHCP checkerChild DLA
Not means tested, from three months old. A gateway to Carer's Allowance, Motability and the disabled child element of Universal Credit.
Child DLAShort breaks
Councils have a legal duty to provide short breaks for families caring for disabled children. Ask for the council's short breaks statement.
Support for children