Money Moral Dilemma: Should I get a Disabled Person's Railcard when my condition doesn't affect me?

elsien

marcia_ said:

 I have epilepsy and qualify but wouldn't get one for epilepsy if my circumstances were as yours are. 

 Here is the criteria...

Have epilepsy 

You either have repeated attacks even when receiving drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving

But do you get PIP as you can qualify that way. 

Unless the person gets PIP, and it would appear they may not be eligible anyway.

“A copy of your Exemption Certification for epilepsy medication and a photocopy of your letter from the DVLA telling you that you are unable to drive”. 

TimeLord1

Newcad said:

As above-

If you meet the eligibility criteria then you can claim the benefit/advantage.

After that it is your choice whether to take/ use it or not to use it.

Personally I would say apply for the railcard and then it is your choice whether to use it or not.

PS. I have a NCTS bus pass because although I have not had a daytime fit in years I am still prohibited from holding a driving licence.

Have they changed the applications on the NCTS, I read that the forms had changed and you needed more proof. I'm trying to think where it was but the lady had a blue badge but didn't qualify or claim benefits and previously sent a copy of her blue badge but she was saying the badge wasn't listed on the form now and she was going through a list of qualifying criteria and didn't believe she would meet it now. I'll try and find it, but several people have said it's different than before and asking for more proof. 

dtl

If you have a driving license then you are not entitled to the disabled person's rail card.   The rules state to qualify, you must have epilepsy and 'You either have repeated attacks even when receiving drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving.'

Spoonie_Turtle

dtl said:

If you have a driving license then you are not entitled to the disabled person's rail card.   The rules state to qualify, you must have epilepsy and 'You either have repeated attacks even when receiving drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving.'

If they receive PIP then they are eligible.

https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/

Muttleythefrog

Once again I'm afraid I find myself seriously questioning whether this is a genuine dilemma from a genuine member of the public... a lot of these dilemmas sound manufactured. If it is genuine then a railcard is the least of their problems - someone who needs a public consultation on such a trivial matter must be suffering severe disablements in day to day life well beyond highly infrequent epileptic attacks. Needless to say these people desperate for public guidance never seem to re-emerge to read and acknowledge it which only adds to my suspicion!

At the end of the day rail fares in the UK are erratic and often stupidly expensive... which is why so many people use railcards of one type or another to get reductions. I imagine most of those people could ultimately afford full fares. The card is not free and if you're anything like me you might find you don't get value out of it - buses have been more attractive to many I imagine due to the reduced fares while rail strikes and repairs seem non ending. A recent train from Cornwall (where we're about to have a couple of weeks of bus replacement for trains) even took a wrong turning towards Bristol (instead of to London) and had to reverse... the system is a mess.

poppy12345

dtl said:

If you have a driving license then you are not entitled to the disabled person's rail card.   The rules state to qualify, you must have epilepsy and 'You either have repeated attacks even when receiving drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving.'

That's misleading. I have a driving license and i've had a disabled persons railcard in the past.

bikaga

Hmm. Eligibility criteria for epilepsy appear to be: Have epilepsy - You either have repeated attacks even when receiving drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving. So according to that and your description, you don't actually qualify.

https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/

Lainey999

Yes you should have a disabled train pass, as god forbid that you take poorly on the train, you will need treatment and because of the pass it can identify you and your needs quickly! 

Be safe ! 

HillStreetBlues

bikaga said:

Hmm. Eligibility criteria for epilepsy appear to be: Have epilepsy - You either have repeated attacks even when receiving drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving. So according to that and your description, you don't actually qualify.

https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/are-you-eligible/

Seems like this "moral dilemma" is really about  shall I commit fraud by getting a cheaper ticket then I'm entitled too.
I'm sure those in MSE towers wouldn't condone fraud, so this "dilemma" is now a moot point.

kayen

I have some experience in this area.  Based on what you are saying that you can drive/ have continued to have a drivers license you don't meet the specific epilepsy criteria of  "either have repeated attacks even when receiving drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving". 

Once a drivers licence is revoked by DVLA on medical grounds due to epilepsy, a doctor would need to certify a person as being seizure free for a minimum of 1 year to consider a new licence being issued. 
I don't know what paperwork you have to submit for the railcard  but quite possibly the people processing have/are been lax so its up to you whether you want to continue claiming it even if you don't qualify.