Money Matters
Welfare benefits
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children (under 16)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children (under 16)
If your child is under 16 years old and has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who does not have a disability, you can claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA). You can receive between £24.45 and £156.90 a week and depending on the level of help the child needs. You can find further details, including information about how to claim, on the gov.uk website.
Personal Independent Payment (PIP) (over 16)
Personal Independent Payment (PIP) (over 16)
Once a young person who has mobility needs or other impairments that affect their ability to carry out daily activities turns 16, they will have to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for themselves. It is not means-tested and can be paid on top of any other benefits you receive.
Universal Credit (UC) over 18
Universal Credit (UC) over 18
Universal Credit may be available to young people over 18 who cannot work due to their disabilities. You need to provide a fit note from your doctor. This benefit can be paid towards your housing costs and can act as a gateway to other means-tested forms of support and concessions.
You cannot usually get Universal Credit while you are studying unless you have limited capability for work (LCW) and receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Carer’s Allowance/UC Carer Element
Carer’s Allowance/UC Carer Element
If you spend over 35 hours a week caring for someone who receives PIP or DLA you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance and/ the ‘carer element’ in your Universal Credit payments.
You should discuss carer’s allowance with an adviser as it may affect your overall benefit entitlement.
Disabled Students Allowance (Over 16)
Disabled Students Allowance (Over 16)
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is the support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.
This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.
Benefits advice
Benefits advice
The following organisations may be able to provide advice and support with benefits:
Gingerbread (for single parent families)
Recreation/Shopping
CEA Card
CEA Card
The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association (CEA) Card is a UK-wide scheme for people with disabilities. It’s one way for cinemas who take part to make sure they make reasonable adjustments for you when you go to the cinema – it includes a free ticket for someone to go with you. To create the card you can go to https://www.ceacard.co.uk/apply . The fee to create the card is £6.00 and the card is valid for 1 year from the date of issue.
To be eligible to apply for the card the cardholder should be in receipt of:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Or hold:
- Severely Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Registered Blind)
- Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Partially Sighted)
To get the free ticket, you will need to purchase a full price ticket for yourself for the same performance of the same film in the same auditorium.
The free ticket is provided on the assumption that the person who accompanies you can provide you with appropriate assistance, such as helping you move around the cinema or leave in an emergency or helping you to buy refreshments.
Totum
Totum
Totum is the National Union of Students (NUS)’ discount card, available to full-time students over 16. It provides discounts and freebies for retail, dining, gyms, tourism and nights out.
Travel, transport and parking
Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass
Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass
The disabled freedom pass allows disabled people resident in London to travel across London and to use buses nationally for free.
Zip Oyster Photocard
Zip Oyster photocard
Children aged 11-15, and 16-year-olds who were 15 on 31st August, can benefit from discounts including free bus and tram travel and child rates on the tube with a 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard.
Children aged 16-17, and adults in full time education who were 18 on 31st August can apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard for free and discounted travel on all TFL services. Some of the benefits include 50% off adult pay as you go fares on bus, Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line (excluding between West Drayton and Reading) and most National Rail services in London. If you live in London, you get free travel on buses and trams. Your parent or guardian must apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard if you are under 18. If you are 18, you must apply for your 16+ Zip Oyster photocard and create your own photocard web account.
Rail Cards
Rail Cards
A Family & Friends Railcard gives 1/3 off rail fares for up to four adults and 60% off for up to four children aged 5 to 15 years. Plus, you can have two adults named on one card, so when one cardholder isn’t using it the other can, as long as they are travelling with at least one child aged 5 to 15 years. For more information, please see the link below.
You may qualify for a disabled person’s railcard if you receive PIP or Child DLA. This gets you and an adult you’re travelling with 1/3 off your rail fare.
These – and other rail cards that may help – are listed here along with prices, benefits and eligibility requirements. When you’ve decided which, you would like to buy you can click on the price in the right hand column, which is a link to a purchasing page.
Taxi Card
Taxi Card
Taxi card is only for people who have a serious long‐term mobility problem or severe sight impairment and difficulty in using mainstream public transport. To qualify for the Taxi card, you must have a disability that is permanent. Taxi card offers discounted travel in licensed taxis and private hire vehicles. For more information, please see the link below.
Blue Badges and White Badges
Blue Badges and White Badges
Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions that affect their mobility to park closer to their destination. You can apply for a badge for yourself, on behalf of somebody else or an organisation that transports people that need a blue badge, or you care for a child with a health condition that affects their mobility.
For parking in Westminster, you’ll need to display a White Badge in addition to your Blue Badge as there is so much demand on parking. White Badges are for disabled individuals living in Westminster, or a Westminster-based organisation that cares for disabled people. Unlike the Blue Badge, the White Badge is issued to a specific vehicle and cannot be swapped between different vehicles.
Offer Me a Seat Badge
Offer me a seat badge
If you struggle to stand while using public transport, there is a free badge and card available to help you alert fellow customers that you need a seat. The link below gives you the information on how to apply for the badge.
The badge and card can be used on all TFL services: London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth line, Buses, DLR, Trams and River Services.
Congestion, Toll and Dart Charge
Congestion, Toll and Dart charge
You may not have to pay the full fare at some congestion charges, river crossings, bridges, and tunnels if you’re disabled. In most cases, you must apply in advance to get a concession. You can find more information and links to apply here.
