Disability Law Service
Free Legal Advice for Disabled People, Their Families and Carers
Who It’s For: Disabled people of any age across the UK, and the family members and carers contacting on their behalf. Particularly relevant to families of disabled children navigating welfare benefits, community care rights, housing needs and disability discrimination. Run by and for Disabled people — at least 75% of trustees and 50% of paid staff are Deaf or Disabled.
What They Offer: Founded in 1975, Disability Law Service (DLS) is a unique charity providing free legal advice and representation to Disabled people and their families. Their team of qualified solicitors and advisers cover welfare benefits, community care, employment, housing and disability discrimination. Advice is available by phone, email and in writing, and their website hosts a comprehensive library of free factsheets covering all major areas of disability law. They also hold Legal Aid contracts in community care and housing, meaning eligible families can access full legal representation at no cost.
Support Includes:
- Free welfare benefits advice — covering PIP, DLA, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals
- Free community care advice — rights to assessment, care packages, direct payments and local authority responsibilities
- Free housing advice — disability-related housing rights and adaptations
- Free employment advice — disability discrimination, reasonable adjustments and employment rights
- Legal Aid representation — community care and housing cases for those who qualify
- Free online factsheets — covering welfare benefits, community care, employment, trusts, blue badges and more
- Propel Project — free legal advice clinic for Disabled residents in Tower Hamlets on community care, housing and benefits
Referral / Access: Self-referral. No referral needed. Each service has its own dedicated helpline and email — check the website for specific contact details per service area. General opening hours Monday–Friday 9:30am–5:30pm, though individual service helplines operate on specific days and times. Aim to respond within 3–5 working days.
Why This Matters: Navigating the benefits system for a disabled child — or planning ahead as they move into adult care — can feel like fighting a system that was not designed to help you. Disability Law Service puts qualified legal expertise directly in the hands of families who cannot afford to pay for it. Whether you are challenging a PIP decision, trying to understand your child’s community care rights, or facing discrimination, DLS is one of the most powerful free resources available to disabled people and their families in the UK.
Telephone: 020 7791 9800 (general)
Welfare Benefits: 020 7791 9800 option 5
Community Care: 020 7791 9809
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