Great 'What discounts can I get when I'm disabled' Hunt

presleys_mummy

sh1305 wrote: »

For sensory impairment (and possibly learning difficulties?) but there isn't one for other disabilities.

My daughter has spina bifida resulting in double incontinence and subtle motor delay, she is registered disabled. It is optional, but it helps the government allocate funds for projects in your area.

anon_uk

I've also heard that you can't get a free carer pass when you buy a Merlin Pass with Tesco Clubcard vouchers. So a tip, if you want a Disabled Merlin Pass (i.e. with the free carer pass) buy the Merlin Pass in the winter on-line (e.g. on the Legoland or Merlin Pass site)as there are often huge discounts. For example in January they were selling Individual or Disabled Merlin Passes for half price, so £75 instead of £150!

N.B. This discount often works out cheaper than renewing a pass (if you are buying an individual or Disabled Pass). If you have an existing pass you could buy a cheap one in the winter and then exchange the voucher (at Legoland, etc) for the new annual pass when your other one runs out.

If you want to get a free Legoland Annual Pass (not sure if it is with a free carer's one) the shop at Legoland usually opens in November and December and if you spend over £75 (2009 criteria) on toys etc you get a free full Legoland Annual Pass.

WhiteHorse

Rapido wrote: »

I have been told by my local council, Kirklees in West Yorkshire, that the willow trees in my garden, which overhang the public highway, need lopping back. As a disabled pensioner I cannot do the job myself, I certainly can't afford tree surgeon prices, and the council won't help either.

I live in a different council area, but an elderly neighbour who lives on his own does get assistance from the council with regard to trimming his hedges.

Perhaps enquire again and push your request higher up the ladder? Or maybe there's a community group? The Scouts perhaps? Or you could contact Community Payback.

I-Owe-You

Hi Everyone,

First of all thank you for this thread - what a brilliant idea. I hope it continues to be updated.

Its difficult for me, as its not visually obvious I am disabled. I acquired serve deafness in my teens so I have speech. I also have a balance disorder associated with my hearing (or lack of it!) which means I need to be frequently seated, and am susceptable to falls - so am constantly questioned regarding my disability status...even I ask myself sometimes whenever I can include myself as disabled! But I am on the boroughs hearing disability register (we still have one! - perhaps for statistics!?) ...& am in receipt of DLA & a freedom pass...

Anyway; Thorpe Park gave me and my partner queue jump wristband after he inquired about disabled facilities (I never had any info on me that day as Im still relitively new to being aware of discounts - just my freedom pass, & they were fine with this - they did say from Sept 2010 all disabled people will require a letter from the dr/specialist though...

Hyde Park King of Leon concert - Was given wrist bands for a viewing platform at the side of the stage. (not mentioned when I bought the tickets - just produced evidence on the day) I was so happy with this as I don't think I would have coped in the crowds of 65,000 in the heat. We also had separate toilets within our area which was fantastic as they were in a portacabin and not those terrible portaloos - also much cleaner, and a larger space which helps with my balance!

Also - if you are still able to work like me (& I think you need to be childless) and earn a modest income (I am not sure of the limit now - maybe around 18-19k) you can apply for the disability element of working tax credits... have a look on entitledto.com and it should confirm if you enter your details before you go through the application process.

Finally, for fellow deafies - in my borough in London there is a holiday scheme called "link" (via referral from your doctor) They pay for a holiday for 4 people to UK destinations (usually English seaside resorts) -all your food and accom is paid for but you need to pay for or provide your own travel & spending money, there is also a one day course to learn about disability awareness etc...which I think maybe optional. Social Services told me about this (I haven't been yet though due to getting time off of work) Contact your local sensory impairment team about holiday schemes etc...you will need a GP referral though. (cant find any info online for this to post unfortunately)

Finally - I wonder if anyone could help!?! I have bought weekend tickets for this years V Festival in Chelmsford (one for me, and one for my friend who will also be my communication support/carer for the weekend) The website states that there are disabled persons facilities, but I stupidly didn't not notify them at time of booking that I would need to access this...I have wrote to them twice & emailed to ask whenever it is ok to turn up on the day with my evidence, or whenever I will need to arrange this before - but am yet to receive a response for any posted letters or emails...Im really stressed about it.
Has anyone been before or to similar & had any problems??

Thanks again for this thread!

ZeInno

This is a great thread, and such a good idea.

I'm a single father loving with 10 year old son who has ADHD and behavioural problems, but looks and acts "normal" most of the time. It's when he goes into one of his moods, that can be caused by anything, that he shows his problems. I generally feel terrible asking for discounts anywhere, but I think I'm going to have to start.

One piece of advice I can offer for people in Scotland like me is to check and see if your council offers an Integrated Children's Service - they helped me incredibly when applying for DLA, which I didn't even know I was entitled to, let alone carer's allowance. If it wasn't for them, I would have no idea about a lot of the avenues that are open to me and my son.

adoreholidays

This site is great as it makes people more aware of what is out there for them things they might never have thought about. Info is a powerful tool. Too ZeInno my hat is off to you its hard with 2 dealing with a child with behavioural problems let alone on your own, with no one to share and unload to. You learn pretty quick and gradually gain a thick skin when it comes to asking at the end of the day they can only say no you don't ask you don't get.
A good point about integrated services for children I have a feeling this is national not just Scotland as I am sure I have seen a notice at my sons school I think it is a relavently new service the government has tried to bring in to help direct childrens services under one umbrella to make things easier but I guess it depends on how good you area is for what support you receive

mummis1

Rapido.... if you join your local landshare...you will find people who will gladly come and help you with All your gardening needs. They are usually people who are unfortunate to have their own garden and will maintain yours for pleasure. Good luck

keet83

thermalaudio wrote: »

Not all Disabled people can actually get a Disabled Railcard though which is a bit of a con, to get one as quoted by the Railcard Team in Newcastle, you must be either Blind or a Wheelchair user.

Personally i think thats pretty ridiculous, I hold a Disabled National Concessionary pass, but have been turned down 3 consecutive times by the disability railcard team despite sending as much photocopied proof as I can possibly give them, they still demand a letter from 'my social worker' well I'm sorry but just because i'm disabled doesnt mean i need nor have a social worker.

Perhaps MSE can look into this?

East Coast just refunded me £25.00 that I was forced to pay to sit in First Class for a London to Leeds journey because their onboard team were too lazy to move some chavs from disabled seating.

i am epileptic and have a disabled persons railcard because i am not allowed to drive. i have no social worker either, instead they asked for a photocopy of my prescription drugs. i also receive DLA and that also qualified as eligible.

Indie_Kid

pona wrote: »

Disable people who have or get DLA (disability living allowance) can buy aids and vehicles at 0% VAT.

You don't need to receive DLA to qualify for this. I have never been asked if I'm on DLA.

kittykitten

Anyone who has a disabled persons or senior citizens bus pass that was issued in County Durham can use the Durham City park and ride for free. Not sure why it is that your bus pass has to have been issued in County Durham, as in theory you can use a bus pass issued anywhere in the country to use normal local bus services, but I've never been brave enough to try my luck on the park and ride in Durham (my pass was issued in North Tyneside)