Independent living for the first time

You might be entitled to social care support. A needs assessment will look at what support you need. This can include support to live independently and access to a social worker.

Getting a social care needs assessment

How to get social care services

There are several types of support for you to live independently.

Personal assistants, care workers and support workers 

If you are 25 or under 

Every council in England has a local offer for disabled people up to the age of 25. This is a list of services that can support your transition to adulthood.

Search for ‘local offer’ on your council website.

Find your local council (GOV.UK) 

Planning for transition to adult care

Your local council housing options team can give you support to find and apply for a new home.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

There is free support and advice from:

• Shelter
• Citizens Advice
• Scope helpline

There are also smaller charities and organisations that can tell you about how housing works in your area.

You might be able to get financial support to help cover your rent through:

• Universal Credit housing element 
• Housing Benefit

If you live with your parents, you cannot get any housing benefits to pay rent to them.

But you could be eligible for housing benefits if you move out and rent your own home.

Use a free online benefits calculator to:

• find out what you are entitled to
• see how changing where you live would affect your benefits

You can get support to:

• check which benefits you are eligible for and
• apply for benefits

 If you need free benefits advice or support in person:  

• Find an adviser (Advicelocal)
• Find a local benefits adviser (Turn2us)

We have information on how to work out how much rent you can afford.

Benefits and rent

To live independently for the first time, you may need to learn skills for looking after yourself and your home. These are sometimes called life skills.

That includes learning how to: 

• shop for food
• cook for yourself
• keep your home clean 

Learning how to manage your own money is also important. That includes:

• budgeting 
• managing your benefits 
• paying your bills and managing direct debits
• understanding and filling in paperwork and forms

You may be eligible for support from a social worker with these tasks. It depends on your needs assessment. 

Getting social care services

Learning life skills 

There are further education courses on how to develop life skills.

The National Careers Service website has advice and information on college courses. 

You might be a parent of a disabled young person and want them to learn how to become independent. We have advice on how they can develop life skills.

Life skills to help your disabled child become independent

If you live alone, you may want support to help you feel part of your local community.

There are ways to meet new people and make friends.

That can include meeting people:

• with shared interests 
• through volunteering
• through sport 

Your local council should have a community directory. It might have another name like community information service. Here you can find groups and events in your area.

Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Local libraries and supermarkets often have noticeboards where you can find out about groups near you.

Find your local library (GOV.UK)

You can also:

• search for the name of your area on the Scope online community
• join local online groups

This can be a way to find:

• groups and activities to help you get out and about
• people near you with a shared experience of disability

Social prescribing 

Your GP can refer you to community schemes or projects, which may include:

• sport
• cooking and healthy eating
• arts activities
• befriending 

This is called 'social prescribing'. Ask your GP surgery for more information.