The Great Hunt: Have you found any good savings for kids with special needs?

Former_MSE_Sam_M

Raising children is never cheap, but it can cost even more if your child has special needs.

We want MoneySavers' tips for savings they've found - whether it's discounted theme park tickets, special grants, or child-friendly holiday deals, please let us know.


If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply..

Thanks!

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

sir_monster

Just a quick summary from another group:
Carers ( means tested)
DLA
Merlin magic wand
Family fund (means tested)
Additional tax credits / council tax reduction / housing benefit in receipt of dla ( means tested )
Cea card ( free cinema entry for carer )
Radar key ( to use disabled facilities )
Free carers @ gambado soft play
Free carers @ pavilion swimming
Free carers with merlin passes
Reduced rate for children @ buzz zone
Free carers @ Hobbledown & groombridge & howletts & godstone

megzmam

Apply for a maxcard think they are only £3 and it gets you massive discounts at attractions, theme parks, play areas etc etc...places like eureka is free entry.
Always check a theme parks disability pages as often I carer can get in free.
You may be eligible for free tickets as a gift for the family from Merlins magic wand...we went to Alton towers last summer.
As in the post above check if you are entitled to any extra benefits.
Family fund helped us out once a few years ago with gifting something for our daughter...they are wonderful people and very helpful with anything disability related.
If I think of more I will come back and add them

kingfisherblue

There is a long thread on the disability board about discounts for those who are disabled. Most of these will apply to children with disabilities.

One thing that I don't think is on the other thread is holiday clubs. Some councils run play schemes for children with disabilities up to the age of 19. Whilst there is usually a charge, it can still be an option for parents/carers who would otherwise struggle to find suitable childcare.

DianaJoy

We have a disabled son who uses a wheelchair. We have found many days out providers offer discounts or free carer tickets/seats. Sometimes you need to ask or look on websites under 'accessibility/disabled visitors.' For example, my husband can accompany him to a premier league football match (Newcastle Utd) for the price of a child ticket. We have been offered free carer tickets at Edinburgh Zoo (others zoos offer similar), museums and stately homes. This is fair enough as not all parts of these attractions are accessible. Some places cater particularly well for disabled people - Alnwick Garden in Northumberland springs to mind - as we have to consider toilets and cafes too. Specialist websites and books such as The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain may help. The CEA card, which is carried by the disabled person and bears their photo, allows a free companion at cinemas. Many theatres offer similar. The drawback is often that you can't book these tickets online and sometimes (premium rate) phonelines are the only option. I'm not sure why this is as it can be a lot of extra hassle. Our local authority's disabled children's team has a scheme where local attractions offer discounts to the children on their list. It's always worth asking at the entrance about discounts as they are not always advertised and, as I say, I think it's justified as we are often limited in terms of access and always good supporters of the cafe!

IrishWasherWoman

Not really to save money as such, but could definately make life a lot easier - many doctors will write a "To whom it may concern" letter that you can present at airports, ferries, theme parks & etc., and often you will be allowed to jump queues, or chose to go first or last or whatever suits your child(ren). And of course, if they DO have some discount policy, it strengthens your claim to use it, especially if your child(ren)'s disability is not always obvious at first glance. This sort of thing can make all the difference as to whether you feel you can go out and about.

Rhys_Davies

I have been able to obtain free carer entry when taking my daughter to theatre. Not always easy to do via online booking and had to phone box office.


Not really money saving but hadn't realised my daughter was able to claim Employment Support Allowance when she turned 16. Very worthwhile if eligible for Disability Living allowance as covers a lot of the subs for various special needs clubs and trips.


We have used Carers Merlin pass and if you report to guest services with doctors letter you cn usually benefit from reduced queuing on rides.

Tigsteroonie

Can I just stress, that having a child with a disability / special needs doesn't automatically entitle you to skip to the front of queues? (That kind of thing really annoys people!) It is only if your child has a disability that renders queuing difficult for them - for example, a mobility issue, or a behavioural issue such as autism. I believe that Merlin have recently changed their policy on access passes to the extent that you now have to have a letter dated within the last six months regarding your child's diagnosis; but on the plus side, once shown you get a pass that is valid for six months. Worth reading up on their websites for the latest arrangement as I probably haven't summarised that correctly; there are also FB groups who can help explain the new setup.

We've learnt not to allow pride to get in the way of requesting a discount Some places don't provide any discount on entry fee; some provide a free Carer ticket (can work out quite a good deal for concerts! but you do have to buy by phone); and some - English Heritage & CADW, for example - give free entry for our disabled son AND a free Carer

After you have exhausted the official routes for support (occupational therapy, children's services) use Google to find out about sources of funding. There's not just Family Fund, there are plenty of other charities who can help.

Max cards - depends on whether your local Council subscribes to the arrangement.

CEA cards - only available for the over-8s now; use your DLA or diagnosis letter if your child is under that age.

Avoid buying from "CheapDisabilityAids" aka "SensoryEducation" - or at the very least, google for reviews before you buy from them. There are some horror stories out there. [Please do not swamp this thread with more tales!]

Holiday clubs for disabled children? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Bit of a postcode lottery, I'm afraid.

GlasweJen

Glasgow science centre offer a free carer for disabled visitors, can be booked over the phone to avoid queuing (queue is massive at weekends). It's also fully accessible and has wheelchair spaces in their planetarium but it's worth the hassle to transfer into one of their reclining chairs for viewing the show.

Edinburgh Zoo do a free carer; the hill is really steep and I struggle to wheel up it but they run a train every half hour or so to help disabled and frail guests up, you can catch the train back down too.

AMLeeCann1

Paultons Park will give priority access to rides when proof of disability is shown to guest services. Also Shreks Adventure, London will allow a free carer with a paying disabled child. I booked by phone and need to show proof on arrival. Also many cinemas now do screenings suitable for children with ASD, slightly quieter and the lights up a bit. The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton also do relaxed performances of shows at a reduced rate, with no sudden loud noises and lights up a bit, I know Mary Poppins and the Christmas panto are coming up.