If you have a learning disability or a physical disability, you may be eligible for certain discounts and concessions when out and about. There are also grants available to support you with extra care and costs.
Disability charity Scope estimates that daily life costs an average of £583 more per month for disabled adults, compared to adults who do not have a disability. Families with disabled children have to spend an average of £581 per month more than families without disabled children. For a quarter of families, this figure is over £1000 per month.
Alongside benefits from the Government, discounts, concessions and grants can help to ease some of the financial burden for disabled people and their families.
Max Card
The Max Card is for foster families and families who have children with disabilities and other additional needs. It can give you discounts on days out across the UK, at a wide range of participating attractions.
The card is the property of the foster child or child with additional needs, so can only be used when they are present.
How much can I save?
How much you can save depends on the attractions you choose. Each attraction offers different discounts, varying anywhere from 5% to free entry.
Who is eligible?
- Foster families (local authority)
- Foster families (independent fostering agencies)
- Families with children with extra educational needs or disabilities
How can I apply?
You can apply for a Max Card here.
CEA Card
The CEA Card enables you to bring someone to the cinema with you for free. 90% of UK cinemas participate in the scheme.
How much can I save?
You will pay for your cinema ticket and have your companion, whether a friend, family member or carer, get a free ticket, so effectively saving 50% between you.
Who is eligible?
You must be at least 8 years old, and receive one of the following benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
Whether you do or don’t receive any of the above benefits, you will also be eligible if you hold:
- Severely Sight Impaired Registration
- Sight Impaired Registration
How can I apply?
The card costs £6 and is valid for one year, when you can then renew it. When applying, you will need to provide a photograph of yourself and proof of your eligibility, such as the letter awarding you your benefits.
Travel Discounts
You can get discount cards if you have a disability for travelling by public transport, including a bus pass or railcard.
For more information about discounts and accessibility on public transport, please see ‘Using public transport with a disability’.
Blue Badge scheme
You may also be eligible for a Blue Badge which allows you or the person driving you to park in disabled parking spaces. As of 2019, people with learning disabilities and dementia can also apply.
For more information about eligibility, where you can park and how to apply, please see ‘Parking for people with disabilities- the Blue Badge scheme’.
You can also receive concessions at some toll booths, but you must apply in advance. You can find more information about which concessions you can get at which toll booths here.
Purpl Disabled Discounts
This disabled discount website was founded by Georgina Colman who lives with MS and ADHD. Her mission is to help offset the cost of living with a disability. Her long term goal is to launch a foundation to give grants to those in need.
Who is eligible?
Any one with one of the following Purpl accepted documents:
- Disability benefit letter
- Blue Badge
- Disabled bus or train pass
- Access card
- CEA card
- Disabled ID (DID) card
- Access to work award
- Motability scheme letter
You can join Purpl for free as long as you are eligible and start saving money on a whole range of shops, travel, holidays and days out.
Concessions
Many tourist attractions and museums offer concessions for disabled people, without the need for a specific card. You may also be allowed free access for one person accompanying you, if you request ‘one disabled person and carer’. Not every attraction does, so check the ticket prices and concessions on your chosen attraction’s website before you go.
You may be required to show some proof of your learning disability, such as a medical letter or Blue Badge.
Grants
Many charitable organisations provide grants for people with learning disabilities. These grants can give you a lump sum of money to go towards the cost of recreation, holidays, equipment, education and even housing.
Each grant has its own criteria to be eligible. To find which grants you may be eligible for based on your needs and what you would like financial support with, go to disabilitygrants.org and select ‘Find Your Grant’.
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