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

debs_w

I have 15yr old and live in Hampshire. We have a CEA card, which means any carer that accompanies him to the cinema goes free. We have a yellow card from Hants county council, Its opens many doors for things like:- sports centres (free swiming for holder and carer), Marwell zoo, carer goes free (annual pass same) best of all was the Merlin card bought with Tesco reward vouchers £40 for a year and a named carer goes free. Most days out venues will do you a good turn, but you have to ask and you need some form of proof.

TheBottomLine_2

isualive wrote: »

I was recently given a driving grant. I can 45 lessons with BSM, 2 cracks at the theory & 2 cracks at the pratical test. I am now 8 lessons in!

That is awesome! I think a few others might like more info on how to get the grant.

ash4becks

TheBottomLine wrote: »

That is awesome! I think a few others might like more info on how to get the grant.

The Family Fund says on her post

DPRC_Bod

Hear-Hear wrote: »

Hello DPRC Bod,

You are absolutely correct in that there is no longer a 'register of the deaf' at local authority level. I think your idea to use the brown NHS Hearing Aid Battery dispensing book is a good one, but it only covers around 75% of hearing aid users. 25% of users purchase their hearing aids privately, so no 'brown book' evidence to show. That would be around 200,000 - 250,000 hearing aids per year. Add to this the 1,000,000+ hearing aids currently in use but dispensed more than 12 months ago. Then you have to add the non-users. Approximately one-in-seven of the population has an aidable hearing impairment, but only 2,000,000 actually have hearing aids. So that leaves another 7,000,000 or so who have an even worse problem than hearing aid users, since they haven't yet faced up to the issue !

In view of the above, I would like to suggest that the criteria be extended to include those with significant hearing loss but who do not use NHS hearing aids for one reason or another.

As a qualifier, you would need a threshold. The terms 'mild loss', 'moderate loss', 'severe loss', and 'profound loss' are all recognised and established terms with the NHS specifically and throughout audiology generally. It should easily be possible to select a minimum level such as 'moderate binaural hearing loss' or worse in both ears, and/or 'severe monaural hearing loss' or worse in one ear. A written confirmation from a qualified audiologist - each of whom must be law be registered with the Health Professions Council, so the verifier can check and verify online! - should suffice as an alternative to the 'Brown Book'.

I have chosen the minimum qualification thresholds somewhat arbitrarily but would suggest they are in the right area. If you would like to have some form of discussion in this area, please feel free to PM me.

Regards

Glad to report we already accept a copy of the dispensing prescription for private hearing aids. We also include tinnitus maskers but unfortunately can't go quite as far as you would like.

spugzbunny

Hear-Hear wrote: »

DPRC Bod wrote: We use proxy criteria to verify qualification but we keep these criteria under constant review. For example, I noticed in the thread earlier on there was mention of 'registration as Deaf' as one of the criteria that used to apply. The problem is that most local authorities no longer keep a register of deaf people so lots of people who wanted the card were unable to get it. We therefore changed the qualifying criteria so that Hearing Aid users could qualify and the evidence we asked for was a copy of their NHS Hearing Aid battery dispensing book.

and the hearhear wrote something very inciteful that is a bit long to re-quote!! Sorry hearhear - you know I think you are great and full of fantastic info!

I just wanted to add to this. I am going to be applying for a disabled person's railcard soon but my local NHS does not issue 'battery books'. They issue what they call battery cards and I just show it to them when I need more batteries. I have asked them for a letter which states that I am using a hearing aid and under their care and I hope that these two things will qualify me for the disabled persons railcard. I assume my local station will have had this problem before but we will wait and see. If this is not proof where do I stand? I would have a bettery book if I were living in a different area but because of where I live I do not - what does that mean to you in this case?

I'd also like to say that the debate of what classifies as disabled is an interesting one! I have unilateral hearing loss and wear one aid. Due to this I have problems in certain situations so in this case I'd have problems at the theatre, the cinema etc where I struggle to pick out speach.

I've only asked for a discount once so far and I was told no - I did not class as disabled. I guess that's because I am an otherwise fit, healthy and clearly gorgeous 27 year old (ahhh I joke about the beauty!). It was only a quid off so I just smiled and didn't argue but it was in a situation where I think I am disabled - it is at a museum talk and I will be using their portable t-loop system!

When I have the railcard I may try with that as 'proof' but I guess morally I can only feel right about asking in the situations where I really do struggle. I don't really feel I qualify at Thorpe Park for example but it would be nice! Especially as I take my aid off when going somewhere like that as I don't really want it flying off half-way round the nemesis!

Do we take what we can get and suck up the disapproving looks or do we only take what we need?

spikeysoul

can't go to the family fund, I'm too old lol

There is a grant available from motability if you are under 24 for getting you a provisional driving licence, lessons and tests. If anyones child is making the transition from disabled child to adult this would be very useful I imagine (or if you become disabled young). Also if you get high rate mobility DLA you can apply for your provisional when you turn 16 instead of 17.

I couldn't use this though as it's not me who can learn - i'm guessing we are in an unusual position no one caters for.

Just incase no one knows - if you are living in a house that needs adaptations - anything from a rail on the stairs to a fully accessible kitchen and wetroom there is something called a disabled facilities grant available. If your home is in need of rewiring to carry out the work there are often further grants available to bring your house to the standard needed. These grants are means tested - but it is on a sliding scale.

You need to get in touch with either your local social services or the occupationl health team through your local council. If your home is unsuitable for adaptation then they will put you on a waiting list for council accomodation - medical priority. It doesn't neccesarily mean a bungalow either - a woman I know was granted a three bed house when she was pregnant becasue it was the only type of accomodation that would have suited both her disability and her role as a disabled parent. The system is such now that you can specify an area - so you don't have to go anywhere - bear in mind if you ask for a popular area it will take longer to be rehoused.

If you have to move due to your disability you should be entitled to a community care grant - covering everything from moving costs through to furniture (and if you are lucky carpets). This is only if you are moving DUE to your disability and are on certain benefits. There are other reasons for getting a community care grant also see here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10018921 it includes needing help to stay in the community and help with looking after someone who is disabled - so if you are stuck for something it covers quite a few bases.

If you arn't getting your legal entitlement to care from social services - and for parents that includes help to 'fulfil your parenting role'. You can get legal aid to assist you in complaining and securing your entitlement. The best place to go for this is to a Community Legal Advice Center (CLAC) or Community Legal Advice Network (CLAN). These are the places you would ususally go for welfare rights and sometimes include CAB's. Your local council will be able to tell you where the nearest CLAC or CLAN is.

Phew - I think that's everything

Indie_Kid

You can get a council tax discount (the next band down) if you have a room that is adapted for a disabled person (ie, downstairs bathroom for wheelchair user) or have wider doorways for a wheelchair.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/Taxreliefandreductions/DG_10026451

Hear-Hear

DPRC Bod wrote: Glad to report we already accept a copy of the dispensing prescription for private hearing aids. We also include tinnitus maskers but unfortunately can't go quite as far as you would like.

That is absolutely fantastic, and clearly a major step forward, that you will accept private as well as NHS verification of hearing aid use.

Sorry if you felt I was 'pushing it' a bit to try to include people with hearing loss but who don't have hearing aids. There are a great many people in this category who have yet to accept their problem - it is estimated that only 25% of the 9,000,000 hearing impaired in the UK actually do anything about it, leaving the other 7,000,000 or so (plus their families) to struggle on. Maybe the Railcard inclusion will be a trigger to encourage some of those 7,000,000 to act at last ??

Again, I appreciate your response.

---

spugzbunny wrote: and the hearhear wrote something very inciteful that is a bit long to re-quote!! Sorry hearhear - you know I think you are great and full of fantastic info!

And I think flattery will get you everywhere. Nice comment though - it made my day. :j Thanks.

monkeyface68

:jThe Ironbridge Musems Telford.
Visitors who are registered disabled have a fifty

percent (50%) discount on the entry prices.
A companion is also welcome to visit at a 50%
discount. All the museums have individual admission
rates, E.g the Victorian village is £14.60, 60+ £11.55,
5 to 18 years of age in full time education £9.35.
The most economical way of visiting is to buy a
Passport ticket @ £21.95, 60+ £17.60, 5 to 18 years of age
in full time education £14.25, Passports offer unlimited
daytime entry to all ten museums for twelve months from
the date of purchase. You are welcome to make one visit
to any of the museums you have missed during this

year, at any time in the future.

They also do a family price for the passport ticket only @ £59.95 which is for 2 adults & 3 children if you have less then 3 children it works out cheaper to buy a disabled & companion passport ticket then the children's passport tickets.

We went over the Mayday Bank Holiday this year and used £20 worth of Tesco vouchers, so we only had £1.95 to pay for 2 passport tickets. The staff was very helpful and did not have any problem with us using the Tesco voucher and receiving a discount. Because I was on my scooter I don't even think the lady asked for any proof of being disabled.
:j

monkeyface68

dale151549 wrote: »

It may not be in every county but here in the Midlands we can get £65 each towards a holiday of our choice. We are going away in November and have booked a cottage for £200 for the week but it is only going to cost us £70 thanks to the above. You can only apply once a year and it has to be after September 1st and you must provide an invoice sayig you have paid for it.


We also get to go to Hydrotherapy for £3.30 for the two of us as hubby gets in free.

Hope this helps others.

Jo

Hi Jo,

I'm interested in the holiday grant that you posted about, I also come from the Midlands so did a search but could only find information if you are a resident in Sandwell is it Sandwell where you are from?

I have copied the following information that might be of interest to anyone who does come there there.


To be eligible for a holiday grant you should be:

• a resident in Sandwell; and
• registered with Adult and Community Services, or Children's Services as having a physical disability or profound sensory impairment or be receiving assistance from our Learning Disabilities Service, Mental Health Service or residential care homes; and getting:
  • Pension Credit,
  • Disability Living Allowance,
  • Attendance Allowance,
  • Housing Benefit, and/or
  • Council Tax Benefit.

Carers can also claim holiday grants.


To be eligible for a holiday grant a carer should:

• be a resident in Sandwell or care for a resident of Sandwell; and
• be caring for someone who is registered as a disabled person with Adult and Community Services, or Children's Services or is receiving care services, or has identifiable needs which you assist with; and
• be carrying out a range of ‘helping’ activities such as shopping, housework, cooking, and / or providing personal or emotional assistance; and
• have savings less than £16,000, or either the carer, or the person being cared for, is receiving:
  • Pension Credit,
  • Disability Living Allowance,
  • Attendance Allowance,
  • Housing Benefit,
  • Council Tax Benefit,
  • Carers Allowance, and/or
  • Carers Premium

Hope this helps someone.