What help is available?
If you have epilepsy, you may be entitled to different sources of help.
You are entitled to free prescriptions for your epilepsy (and all other) medications. You may be able to get financial help towards the cost of travel to medical appointments and to work. You may also be entitled to discounted bus, rail and tube travel in some areas. You may be eligible for some welfare benefits and tax credits. If you need support with daily living or equipment, an assessment from social services may be helpful. There is also help available if you are a carer of a person with epilepsy.
Your entitlements will depend on what your epilepsy is like and how it affects you. The information below tells you more, and includes the contact details and links to other sources of information and help.
Financial help
Free prescriptions
People with epilepsy are entitled to free prescriptions for their anti-epileptic medication, as well as any other prescribed drugs (but not dental treatment or eye tests). To apply for free prescriptions in England, fill in the form FP92A, available from your doctors’ surgery. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all prescriptions are free.
Travel costs for medical appointments
If you are on a low income or on benefits you may be able to claim back some of your costs of travelling to some medical appointments, under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. Call the Health Costs Advice Line on 0845 850 1166 for details or visit www.direct.gov.uk.
VAT exemption
Some equipment designed specifically to help people with disabilities does not include VAT. For example, you may not have to pay VAT on a seizure alarm system.
Call the HM Revenue and Customs Helpline on 0845 010 9000 for information or visit www.direct.gov.uk.
Access to work
If you are unable to use public transport because of your epilepsy, you may be able to get financial help towards the cost of your transport to and from work, as part of the Access to Work scheme. Contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or visit www.direct.gov.uk for further information and details about Access to work.
Discounted bus, train and coach travel
People with epilepsy may be eligible for free or discounted public transport. For example, if you have had a seizure in the last year and so have had to give up your driving licence, or would be refused a licence on medical grounds. You may have to pay for a letter from your doctor to confirm that you are not able to drive.
Bus and tube travel
- England: People with disabilities are eligible for a free national bus pass. This can be used between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays, on local buses anywhere in England. Contact your local council for an application form or visit: www.direct.gov.uk/en/travelandtransport for more information.
- London: You may be entitled to a Freedom Pass which gives free bus, train, tram and tube travel. Contact your local council for an application form or visit www.freedompass.org for more information.
- Scotland: If you live in Scotland and have had a seizure within the last 12 months, you should be entitled to Scotland-wide free bus travel with the 'National Entitlement Card'. Contact your post office or local council (or Travel Card Unit in Strathclyde) for an application form, call the Epilepsy Scotland Helpline on 0808 800 2200 or visit www.transportscotland.gov.uk.
Wales: People with disabilities are eligible for free bus travel throughout Wales at any hour of the day, with no restrictions on peak or off peak hours. Contact your local council for an application for or visit www.direct.gov.uk.
Railcard
You may be able to get a disabled person’s railcard. This card gives you, and a companion, a third off most fares.
Call 0845 605 0525 or visit www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.
Coach travel
Some coach operators, such as National Express, offer half-fare schemes for people with disabilities. Contact companies directly for more details.
Benefits
If you have epilepsy you may be entitled to benefits, depending on how your epilepsy affects you.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) are benefits that do not depend on your income, or whether or not you work. In general, DLA is for people who are under 65 and AA for those over 65. To be entitled to these benefits you need to have ‘care needs’ or ‘mobility needs’, which may include the need for supervision.
The following agencies have information on benefits.
- Benefits Enquiry Line: 0800 882 200. Advice and information on the range of benefits available.
DIAL UK or call 01302 310 123 (10am - 4pm). Independent, trained benefits advisors who may also be able to help with completing forms.
- Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) or see your local phone book for your nearest CAB office. Information on benefits.
Direct Gov Government site with benefits information.
Working Tax Credit
This is for people who work on a low income. If you have a disability you may be entitled to extra working tax credits, depending on what benefits you receive. Call the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 3900 for more information and an application form, or visit www.direct.gov.uk
Help from Social Services
Depending on what your epilepsy is like, you may be entitled to have an assessment of your needs.
An assessment normally takes place in your home and looks at whether you have any physical difficulties, health, social or housing needs, and what support you already receive, for example from family or friends.
If the assessment identifies that you have needs which meet the local authority’s criteria, then they have a duty to arrange relevant community care services for you. These services may include meals, home help, adaptations to the home, such as installing a shower or an alarm system, and access to leisure activities. You may need to pay some of the costs.
Contact your local social services department to ask for an 'assessment of need'.
Help for families
We have information about children and education, information for young people, and books for parents and children, and we also offer support through our helpline. We also have dedicated sections of our Forum for parents, and for young people.
The following organisations also offer support.
- Contact a Family offers support for families with children who have a medical condition or disability. This includes information about medical conditions, benefits, local facilities and events.
- Family Fund offers grants for families or carers with a child who has a severe disability.
Help for students
Students with epilepsy in higher education can get a Disabled Students' Allowance and practical support.
Help for carers
If you are a carer for someone with a disability, and this is not paid or voluntary work, you may be able to receive some help, even if you are not living with the person you are caring for.
You may be entitled to a Carer’s assessment from your social services department. This may identify the need for home help, respite care, emotional support or other services. Some carers can claim Carer’s Allowance (see Benefits section for agencies who can give more information).
There are organisations that support carers by giving information, providing respite care and campaigning for carers' rights.
See our pages for carers for more information.
© Epilepsy Society
Information produced January 2012
