Disability freebies???

shazrobo

flamingo land, charges disabled and their care'rs half price, just need proof, eg i always show them ds's DLA letter

carriew

free bus pass in chelmsford

charmed3

Hi Carriew

thanks for the info on free bus pass in Chelmsford. Could you tell me how I'd go about applying for my daughter please. Thanks in advance. She receives DLA.

The_Old_Bag

My local libraries have a scheme where you pay a yearly membership and disabled person ( adult or child) can rent a DVD, Video or CD/talking book etc for free. Brilliant way to 'Try First', before you buy expensive items and they then say
"Don't like it! - in Little Britain voice !!;)

I asked my local social services if there were any special transport 'deals' in my area, but was told there isn't - They said that is what the mobility element of the DLA is for ! We only get lower rate mobility element, and therefore cannot have the blue badge - which automatically excludes us from lots of benefits/schemes aimed at 'disabled' people, because lots of places see the blue badge as the final word in whether you are disabled.

We have the CEA card, which is brilliant to use in all places - theme parks etc. Better than having to carry round the DLA paperwork all the time.

I am grateful for any concessions, but you have to have nerves of steel, and the skin of a rhino to have the front to be always asking if they do concessions. I find most places do not advertise the fact. You just have to be bold/cheeky and ask - meanwhile enduring stares from the rest of the queue who are earwigging !! Just because you are not in a wheelchair does not mean you aren't disabled.

painted_lady

A lot of local councils also give access free for carer to their paid attractions, including swimming pools, gyms etc. In my council (kirklees) this is called an access pass, in Leeds its a Leeds card.

carriew

charmed3 wrote: »

Hi Carriew

thanks for the info on free bus pass in Chelmsford. Could you tell me how I'd go about applying for my daughter please. Thanks in advance. She receives DLA.

hi!
pick up a form from the council in duke st you need to get it signed by gp and provide passport size photo takes about 2 weeks to process and if your daughter cant travel alone you can get a companion pass too

YorkiePud_3

The Old Bag ... you can have a blue badge without claiming the higher rate ... I was advised to go to my doctor, tell him how it would benefit me to have one (I have fibromyalgia, asthma and arthritis) and that I was putting in for a blue badge without getting any more monetary benefit and ask if he would support me if I told them to contact him.

Now, this doctor in particular is a right little 'orror most of the time, but because I told him I wasn't going in for the higher rate but that I knew I would benefit from having the blue badge for parking, he did support me. The car badge place send them a form out to fill in and hey presto ... less than one month later, I got my blue badge.

A lot of people think you cannot have a blue badge if you aren't on the higher rate, so please go to your doctor and do as I did ... explain you aren't going in for more benefit, but it would really be a wonderful help to you if you had the badge. If he says he will, then get your form in and your picture sent and I am sure you can get one! Things have altered now and you are entitled if your doctor will back you up ....

... plus, if anyone else thinks they can't have one because they don't own a car, don't worry! You can use your blue badge no matter what vehicle you are in ... if you rely on taxis it means that 9 times out of 10 they can get you closer to where you need to be ... or even if someone gives you a lift, you can use it in their car. Do look into it! It is a Godsend for me ... I am able to do my own shopping and go into town for a little look round knowing I don't have far to walk at all!

charmed3

Thanks carriew. Will do.