List of discounts available for those on benefits

MSE_Laura_F

Let's compile a list of any discounts we've spotted for those on benefits.

To begin:

Kew Gardens 
£1 entry for those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit

Tate
£5 for all exhibitions entry for those on Universal or Pension Credit (plus Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance recipients) 

Better (leisure centres)
Discounted membership (some location exclusions) for those on Universal Credit, Income Support, Job Seekers’ Allowance and more

HillStreetBlues

Deleted my last post as misread the thread.

Muttleythefrog

Eden Project (Cornwall) does £1 day ticket for those on Pension Credit and Universal Credit (possibly other benefits too) - refer booking on their website. Carer gets in free.

ChrisJJ

Lots of theatres allow a free ticket for carers on purchase of full price ticket. Bridgewater Hall and the Lowry in Manchester are just two that we use.

National trust will give an 'essential companion' card to people who need to be accompanied.

Our borough's leisure centres have a discount scheme for people over in receipt of benefits, so worth checking with your local borough.

peteuk

Free entry for London museums, which work on a donation basis (you dont have to donate) 

RAF museum Hendon
Imperial War museum
Natural history  (free but may need a ticket)

Murphybear

Many pubs around our way offer a special “pensioners lunch”.  They are well priced and everyone one we’ve been to so far has been delicious.  Most include a home made dessert and some include coffee.  

Our favourite has only gone up by £1.50 in the last 5 years which is good to see but you have to book in advance otherwise you may not get a table.  

Charles_Foxtrot

ChrisJJ said:

Lots of theatres allow a free ticket for carers on purchase of full price ticket. Bridgewater Hall and the Lowry in Manchester are just two that we use.

National trust will give an 'essential companion' card to people who need to be accompanied.

Our borough's leisure centres have a discount scheme for people over in receipt of benefits, so worth checking with your local borough.

THIS - 100%. 

Not just theatres - any concert venue, auditorium, arena. They all have free companion passes as part of accessibility schemes. For me I only need to send them the front page of my PIP award and instant free ticket for my PA. Been to 10 gigs this years and literally saved £1,000 or more. On top of that you get access to the disabled section seating if you need it. 

Some venues require that you receive either enhanced daily living or mobility. Others just ask for a PIP award letter for any level. 

Some venues will also allow you to register with their access scheme for 3-4 years at a time and remove the faff of having to jump through hoops to secure your seats. 

There is also the CEA card that will get you buy one, get one free carer tickets to virtually all cinemas in the UK. The cost is £6 per year. 

Disabled rail card: £54 for 3 years, entitles you and one other person to 1/3rd off rail fare no matter the time or day. This can pay for itself very quickly depending on how often you travel on rail. 

Free bus pass: This isn't necessarily tied to a specific benefit, but depending on your county council all you need is a letter from your GP stating that you would fail to obtain a provisional driver's license based on your medical conditions (or send them proof that you've been refused by the DVLA). 

Spoonie_Turtle

Charles_Foxtrot said:

ChrisJJ said:

Lots of theatres allow a free ticket for carers on purchase of full price ticket. Bridgewater Hall and the Lowry in Manchester are just two that we use.

National trust will give an 'essential companion' card to people who need to be accompanied.

Our borough's leisure centres have a discount scheme for people over in receipt of benefits, so worth checking with your local borough.

Disabled rail card: £54 for 3 years, entitles you and one other person to 1/3rd off rail fare no matter the time or day. This can pay for itself very quickly depending on how often you travel on rail. 

You've reminded me, thank you - The DPR is for people with different sorts of disabilities that can make travelling but train difficult (I've had one for years, long before becoming physically disabled, because of having auditory processing disorder) 
But
Wheelchair users who stay in their chair plus any companion, and blind/VI people travelling with a companion can get a discount (34%-50% off) on Anytime tickets without needing a railcard. 
They can only be bought in person from ticket offices though, so … have fun with that if/when the train companies have their way and close them.
https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/other-discounts/

75% off child ticket plus adult discount if the wheelchair user is a child https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets-railcards-offers/promotions/wheelchair-user-without-a-railcard/

Charles_Foxtrot

Spoonie_Turtle said:

You've reminded me, thank you - The DPR is for people with different sorts of disabilities that can make travelling but train difficult (I've had one for years, long before becoming physically disabled, because of having auditory processing disorder) 
But
Wheelchair users who stay in their chair plus any companion, and blind/VI people travelling with a companion can get a discount (34%-50% off) on Anytime tickets without needing a railcard. 
They can only be bought in person from ticket offices though, so … have fun with that if/when the train companies have their way and close them.
https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/other-discounts/

75% off child ticket plus adult discount if the wheelchair user is a child https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets-railcards-offers/promotions/wheelchair-user-without-a-railcard/

I didn't know about that one, about wheelchair users not needing a railcard, that's a good tip! But can be a nightmare considering how many ticket offices are closing. My local rail station only is open for 3 hours a day now (during morning rush). Considering how much of a pain that can be, it unfortunately may just be better to get the disabled railcard and eat the cost of £17 per year to avoid having to worry about getting to the ticket office in time, worrying if it will even be open, etc.

Also forgot to add - you can add your disabled railcard discount to an Oyster card and get 1/3rd off all journeys. That has to be done in person at a Tube station by an attendant. And when your railcard expires and you get a new one, you need to have it redone the same way. 

Charles_Foxtrot

Oh National Trust too - you need to be a member first and foremost - but: 

Essential Companion card 

The Essential Companion card makes it simple to bring one or two carers or companions with you, free of charge. Show the card when you arrive, and your carer(s) or companion(s) won’t need to pay an entry fee. 

It’s in your name so you can bring whoever you like, but even if you don’t have an Essential Companion card, you can still bring carers or companions free – the card just makes it quicker and simpler for you. 

Spoonie_Turtle

Charles_Foxtrot said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

You've reminded me, thank you - The DPR is for people with different sorts of disabilities that can make travelling but train difficult (I've had one for years, long before becoming physically disabled, because of having auditory processing disorder) 
But
Wheelchair users who stay in their chair plus any companion, and blind/VI people travelling with a companion can get a discount (34%-50% off) on Anytime tickets without needing a railcard. 
They can only be bought in person from ticket offices though, so … have fun with that if/when the train companies have their way and close them.
https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/other-discounts/

75% off child ticket plus adult discount if the wheelchair user is a child https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets-railcards-offers/promotions/wheelchair-user-without-a-railcard/

I didn't know about that one, about wheelchair users not needing a railcard, that's a good tip! But can be a nightmare considering how many ticket offices are closing. My local rail station only is open for 3 hours a day now (during morning rush). Considering how much of a pain that can be, it unfortunately may just be better to get the disabled railcard and eat the cost of £17 per year to avoid having to worry about getting to the ticket office in time, worrying if it will even be open, etc.

Also forgot to add - you can add your disabled railcard discount to an Oyster card and get 1/3rd off all journeys. That has to be done in person at a Tube station by an attendant. And when your railcard expires and you get a new one, you need to have it redone the same way. 

Realistically, losing the in-person discounts will be the least of our worries - I typed a bit of a rant but deleted as it's off the topic of this thread, anyone wanting more information should visit https://www.transportforall.org.uk/campaign/ticket-office-closures/ and scroll down to 'the issues'.

(We're local to two stations on a London commuter line, both staffed part-time, but neither of them are accessible to me anyway.  But closing the offices will make them inaccessible to other people who can physically get around the station but can't use the ticket machine.)

Good tip about the Oyster, although a shame you can't do it online as an option.  People will really need to know about it once national rail+TfL travelcards are withdrawn.