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Help with travel costs

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Last updated 14 Oct 2009, review date due 14 Apr 2010

Access to Work

Some people who can’t drive because they have epilepsy may be entitled to help with the additional costs of travel to and from work, and also travelling while at work. This comes under the Access to Work scheme. Contact the Disability Employment Adviser at your local Jobcentre Plus to see if you qualify for this. Contact details:

 

Bus and rail services in England, Scotland and Wales

If you have epilepsy and still have seizures, even though you are taking anti-epileptic drugs, you are eligible for a Disabled Person's Railcard. You can get an application form from the following sources:

Many people with epilepsy are entitled to discounted bus fares. There are different rules about this in England, Scotland and Wales. Contact Epilepsy Action for more information.

Bus and rail services in Northern Ireland

If you have been refused a driving licence because of your epilepsy, you may be entitled to a Half Fare SmartPass from Translink. 

 

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We can provide references and information on the source material we use to write our epilepsy advice and information pages. Please contact our Epilepsy Helpline by email at helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.
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Comments

6 months ago I had to hand in my driving license after a recurrence of epilepsy after 18 epilepsy free years. However neither the doctors, neurologists or anyone dealing with me mentioned that I could then apply for & gain a free bus pass upon display of a DVLC letter revoking my license. I gained mine this morning after a friend in church working in that section of the council suddenly put 2 & 2 together & gave me the application form!

Submitted by Graham on 18 June, 2010 - 12:47.

The disabled railcard is a bit unclear about if you drive but only have sleep attacks: it says you qualify if you "Have epilepsy and either: have repeated attacks even though you receive drug treatment; or are currently prohibited from driving because of your epilepsy"

How regular do repeated attacks have to be?

Submitted by Tiger on 24 May, 2010 - 12:46.

I didn't know about the Disabled Persons' Railcard when I had my first term of being off driving in 2003-04. My seizures came back recently and I found that I could get one and it's saving me a fortune - one third off all my train fares to and from work. Unlike other railcards, it does NOT only apply to off-peak fares. When my wife and I went up to London, we found that it also applied to our tube fare - not only mine but hers too as you get a discount off one other person accompanying you. (thought it a bit of an irony that I was using a Disabled Railcard to help me get to the start line of my first half-marathon !)

Submitted by Ian on 26 October, 2009 - 17:40.