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Discount for Disabled Children
Discount for Disabled Children
Life for a disabled person can costs them on average an extra £583 a month. Although welfare is available to those with disabilities, it’s not enough to cover the numerous extra costs disabled people and their families face. So, every month people are left short and have lost money due to their disability or impairment.
We’ve compiled some of the best discounts for disabled people that we hope will save you some extra cash!
VAT Free
The Government says disabled people and those with a long-term illness shouldn’t be charged VAT on essential items and equipment they rely on. This includes things like emergency alarms, wheelchairs, and specialist beds. It also includes building work needed to make adjustments to your home, such as having railings or ramps fitted. You are also exempt from paying VAT on installation costs, repairs and maintenance, and any spare parts that may be needed.
If you are not sure if something you need will be VAT-free you can use the HMRC guide for more information or call their helpline. Don’t purchase something without enquiring if you can get a VAT discount first. The discount has to be removed a the time of purchase, rather than from reclaiming.
Technically, you’re eligible if you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities or have a chronic or terminal illness. However, you won’t qualify if you are temporarily disabled (such as having a broken leg).
Get reduction on your Utility Bills
If you’re disabled, or live with a disabled person, you can claim discounts on some utility bills.
Water Bills
Water Sure is a scheme across England and Wales for people struggling with their water bills. You qualify if you have a medical condition that requires you to use a high level of water and are on certain benefits.
You need to have, or be waiting for, a water meter to be fitted. Your water bill will then be capped at the average metered bill for the area. Where your usage is under the average then you only pay for what you have used.
Apply by speaking to your water supplier and filling out their form. You must supply evidence, such as your awards notice of benefits, and proof of your medical condition from your doctor.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is in place to help vulnerable customers struggling to afford energy bills. You don’t get money directly. Instead, you receive a credit of £140 onto your energy bills, credited sometime between September and March.
You’re eligible if you’re on a low income, receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or you get means-tested benefits like Universal Credit. You must stay with your supplier until the credit is paid to your account – so will have to wait to switch until springtime. Speak to your energy supplier to apply for the discount – there’s a limited amount available each year, on a first-come-first-served basis.
Pay Less Council Tax
Council tax is based on the size of your property. However, many people need extra space because of their disability – such as an extra bathroom or room to move around in a wheelchair. You could be entitled to a reduced Council Tax bill. Ask your local council about the Disabled Band Reduction scheme or check your government website to see if you meet the criteria.
Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
Anyone with a disability (learning difficulties, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, long-term illnesses) that affects their studying can apply. You have to be studying either part or full-time for at least a year. The allowance is given to help cover costs that are incurred because you are studying with a disability, and not any other disability-related costs or expenses most students face.
Applying
Full-time students applying for other student finance such as a tuition loan can apply for DSAs from their online account. If you’re not applying for any other finance then you’ll need to download a DSA1 application form from the Student Finance website and fill it out. If you’re studying part-time you also must download and fill out a paper application.
Accessible days out guides
AccessAble
AccessAble is here to take the chance out of going out. To give you the accessibility information you need to work out if a place is going to be accessible for you. We've surveyed 10,000s of venues across the UK and Ireland, including shops, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, railway stations, hotels, colleges, universities, hospitals and more. Use AccessAble to find wheelchair friendly venues or check out disabled access and facilities. AccessAble is Your Accessibility Guide. Download our free App to use AccessAble on the go.
Euan's Guide
The aim of Euan's Guide is to empower disabled people by providing information that will give confidence and choices for getting out and about.
Motability Scheme
Get accessibility information for over 200 days out across the UK with The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain.
Finding a Toilet
if your child needs to use an accessible toilet, a radar key can allow you to open accessible public toilets.
Changing Places Toilets
Thousands of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well other disabilities that severely limit mobility, cannot use standard accessible toilets.
People may be limited in their own mobility so need equipment to help them or may need support from one or two carers to either get on the toilet or to have their continence pad changed. Providing these toilets in public places would make a dramatic difference to the lives of thousands of people who desperately need these facilities.
Activities and Discounts for Disabled Children
National Trust and English Heritage
The National Trust and English Heritage also has access information and activity guides that all the family can do:
- Access for everyone
- Top wheelchair and pushchair-friendly walks
- Things to do around National Trust
- English Heritage
Dimensions
Autism-friendly screenings are sometimes called relaxed or sensory-friendly screenings. Adjustments are made to reduce stress and sensory input, such as low lighting and sound, freedom to move and staff trained in autism awareness.
Theatre companies
Inclusive theatre companies that work with performers and technicians with special needs, including mobility needs.
- Chickenshed (North London, UK)
- FaceFront (London, UK)
- Graeae (London, UK)
- Accessible Theatre
- Disability Arts Online
- Vocaleyes – Experiences art and culture through audio description. Bringing art and culture to life for blind and visually impaired people at theatres, museums, galleries, heritage sites and online.
Playgrounds
Activities outside school can be a great way to help your child have fun and find something they enjoy. It can also develop their confidence, social skills, interests and physical abilities.
Family Fun Days
Tickets for families with disabled children if you have a disabled child, you could receive financial support to go on family days out. Organisations include:
CEA Cinema Card
You can apply for a CEA card if your child is over 8, receives disability benefits or has a visual or hearing impairment. The CEA card allows you to get a free carer’s tickets at most cinemas. Home - CEA Card
Max Card
Max card is a discount initiative designed to make days out more affordable for foster children & children with SEND (aged 0-25 years).
Purpl Discounts
Purpl discounts offers discounts to help offset the cost of living with disability.
Discounted Public Transport
Disabled Persons Railcard
If your child receives disability benefits or has a visual or hearing impairment, they could get a disabled persons railcard. This will give you a third off most train fares for your child and 1 other person.
Disabled Person's Bus Pass
If your child is over 5, they could get a disabled person’s bus pass. The eligibility and savings will depend on your local council.
Disabled Persons Freedom Pass
A disabled person’s freedom pass is available to London residents with eligible disabilities. You can apply for this freedom pass through your local London borough council.
Taxicard
Taxicard is a subsidised services providing Black taxis and private hire vehicles to those who might find it difficult or impossible to access other modes of transport.
Coach Card
If you're disabled and love exploring the British Isles, then our Disabled Coach Card offers a great way to save 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible fares to hundreds of UK towns, cities and airports.
So, whether you're looking to take a weekend city break to London or jet off to warmer climates from a UK airport, our Disabled Coach card allows you to travel for a fraction of the original price.
Disabled ID
The aim of the national DID card is to remove the need for individuals to always carry their paper documentation with them. The card will have a photograph of the cardholder and will only be issued to disabled people who are in receipt of some form of disability allowance or medical evidence to support your application.
Tourism for all – Making Accessible Travel Better
Tourism for All are a registered charity dedicated to helping those with additional needs find disabled friendly destinations and places to stay, whatever you’re looking for, we can link you to hotels, b&bs, holiday parks and more that are wheelchair-friendly and have everything you could need for a relaxing stay, from hoists to Changing Places facilities.