Blue Light Card

Doc_N

GMT1221 said:

Doc_N said:

bee44 said:

Retirees be aware that on the website the blue light card is not available to retired nurses or doctors or other retired health service staff
Only retired nhs staff who can apply are members of ambulance service.
Other retired public sector workers who can apply are armed forces, police, fire brigade.

That's a gross piece of discrimination against retired doctors and nurses. I've taken it up with them, but they won't budge.
Difficult to see why a retired nurse is so different from a retired ambulance worker, soldier, police officer or fireman/woman.

What's their problem with doctors and nurses?

I also raised this issue with BLC in July this year as I have recently retired from the NHS and my card was due to expire end August 2020. They said they would review my comments, similar to Doc N on discrimination. And  this month, GOOD NEWS, retired NHS staff can now apply for a BLC card ! I have successfully ! You need to upload a P60 from HMRC showing you are in receipt of a NHS pension. My card has appeared on the app and waiting for the physical BLC in the post - already made savings online! I

Thanks for that update.  Delighted they've changed their minds.

mimi1234

Hi.  I did a quick search but was not able to find a thread on MSE.

I work for the local authority in the homelessness section.  I work with care leavers (social services related) but also with other young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not in the care system.  I know I'm not a social worker per se so I was wondering if I would I qualify for a Blue Light Card or is that just for full time social workers only?

Does anyone know?  

sarah1972

mimi1234 said:

Hi.  I did a quick search but was not able to find a thread on MSE.

I work for the local authority in the homelessness section.  I work with care leavers (social services related) but also with other young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not in the care system.  I know I'm not a social worker per se so I was wondering if I would I qualify for a Blue Light Card or is that just for full time social workers only?

Does anyone know?  

Ongoing thread here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5466849/blue-light-card/p5

Their website has got a lot of info on it, the social care eligibility is below. If you don’t get an answer here, you could always tweet them or FB them. 

• Social Care - Care Company Workforce - Company must be on either the CQC, RQIA, Care Inspectorate Scotland or Care Inspectorate Wales to be eligible.ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• Social Care - Social Worker - ID Required: ID card, Payslip or SWE/SCW/SSSC/NISCC number.
• Social Care - Care Home - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• Social Care - Residential Care - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• Social Care - Council (Working in Care Sector) - ID Required: ID card or Payslip (if these do not state job role, please include a contract alongside).
• Social Care - Foster Carer - ID Required: ID card.

MSE_ForumTeam5

Threads merged

mimi1234

Thank you.  I Twitter'd them twice today but no response so I went onto live chat and 30 minutes later, one of their staff said just attach your Council payslip and we will do the rest.  I thought there would be some validating but it asked me to pay my £4.99 and apparently, it's all done.  There was nowhere for me to attach my work contract.  Let's see what happens.  They may very well turn round and say no and fair do's if they do.

Thanks Sarah.

MoneySavingTracy

The Blue Light card discount is brilliant and really helpful. There is so much choice on there and different discounts!

amades129

Good afternoon 

I would like to ask how to include the only local authorities civil service depts / organisation from receiving this discount that everyone else has been privileged to receive.

The HMPPS consisting of prison and probation service and HMCTTS - court services work tirelessly just like the police social services and ambulance and many other services to safeguard the public, yet are the only organisations unfortunately forgotten as they do not in their own right receive any publicity widely on the national news agenda  

Can you help by getting this organisation included nationally or provide sign post to how it can be done 

sarah1972

amades129 said:

Good afternoon 

I would like to ask how to include the only local authorities civil service depts / organisation from receiving this discount that everyone else has been privileged to receive.

The HMPPS consisting of prison and probation service and HMCTTS - court services work tirelessly just like the police social services and ambulance and many other services to safeguard the public, yet are the only organisations unfortunately forgotten as they do not in their own right receive any publicity widely on the national news agenda  

Can you help by getting this organisation included nationally or provide sign post to how it can be done 

Assuming you mean the Blue light card? HMPPS are eligible 

If you are an employed and paid staff member of the following and can provide a form of ID below that shows name, employer, job role and date (within the last 3 months).

• NHS - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• Police Service - ID Required: Payslip.
• Ambulance Service - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• Fire Service - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• HM Prison Service/HMPPS - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• NHS Dental Practice - ID Required: Payslip.
• HM Armed Forces - ID Required: Payslip.
• MoD Civil Servant - ID Required: Payslip.
• MoD Fire Service - ID Required: Payslip.
• MoD Police - ID Required: Payslip.
• Highway Traffic Officers - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• Home Office - Border Force - ID Required: Payslip.
• Home Office - Immigration Enforcement - ID Required: Payslip.
• Home Office - UK Visas and Immigration - ID Required: Payslip.
• Social Care - Care Company Workforce - Company must be on either the CQC, RQIA, Care Inspectorate Scotland or Care Inspectorate Wales to be eligible.ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• Social Care - Social Worker - ID Required: ID card, Payslip or SWE/SCW/SSSC/NISCC number.
• Social Care - Care Home - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• Social Care - Residential Care - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.
• Social Care - Council (Working in Care Sector) - ID Required: ID card or Payslip (if these do not state job role, please include a contract alongside).
• Social Care - Foster Carer - ID Required: ID card.
• Pharmacy Workers - ID Required: ID card or Payslip.

If this did not answer your question, please contact us via Live Chat.

Sungold8

I have just bought direct from Ninja an 11-1 multi cooker using my Blue Light card saving £30. A fantastic reduction so I’m happy!

MrsStepford

Blue Light Card may not be available to employees of contractors to the NHS, based permanently in NHS hospitals. This seems unfair,it's even worse though, when employees of NHS Trust companies are denied discounts, because the NHS Trust logo doesn't appear on their payslip or ID badge. 

Trusts (ncluding famous hospitals in London) create companies so that they can pay staff less (usually porters, caterers, admin staff, ward clerks, gardeners, car park staff, technicians, cleaners) and keep them out of the NHS pension scheme. They don't get as much holiday and worse sick pay too, usually. The trust also saves by not paying VAT, like this People at the bottom of the heap really need any discounts they can get !