Possible entitlements for people with epilepsy in Wales

Introduction

Apart from Access to Work, all information relates to both children and adults.

In this section

• Free prescriptions
• The Disabled Person’s Railcard
• Free travel pass
• Access to Work
• Welfare benefits

Free prescriptions

If you live in Wales, are registered with a GP in Wales, and get your prescriptions from a pharmacy in Wales, you are entitled to free prescriptions.

If you live in Wales but are registered with a GP practice in England, you can still get free prescriptions. To do this, you need to apply to your local Health Board for an entitlement card. The entitlement card will tell pharmacies in Wales that you are entitled to free prescriptions.

The Disabled Person’s Railcard

If you have epilepsy and take anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), you can apply for a Disabled Person’s Railcard if you either:

• Still have seizures even though you take epilepsy medication;or
• You don't qulalify for a driving licence because of your epilepsy 

You will need to pay for this, but it will save you money if you regularly travel by train.

The railcard will give you a discount of up to a third on a range of adult priced rail tickets. A person travelling with you will get the same discount as you.

Children aged from five to 15 years can qualify for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. The child named on the railcard will pay the normal child’s fare. An adult travelling with them can then claim a discount of one third off their own fare.

You can get an application form for a Disabled Person’s Railcard from some railway stations. You can also get one online at www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk , by telephoning Rail Travel made Easy on 0845 605 0525, or from Epilepsy Action.

Free travel pass

Disabled people who live in Wales are eligible for a free travel pass.

• If you have epilepsy, are over 17, and are not eligible for a driving licence, you will be eligible for a travel pass.
• If you have a driving licence but receive certain welfare benefits, you may still be eligible for a travel pass.
• If you are too young for a driving licence, but receive certain welfare benefits, you may be eligible for a travel pass.

The travel pass can be used on local bus services throughout Wales.  More information about the free travel pass can be found at  http://new.wales.gov.uk

Access to Work

Access to Work might pay towards any equipment you need at work, adapt premises to meet your needs, or for the cost of a support worker. It can also pay towards the cost of getting to work if you cannot use public transport. You can get further information from your local Jobcentre Plus or from:

• Jobcentre Plus
  Access to Work Operational Support Unit
  Alexandra House
  377 Cowbridge Road East
  Cardiff CF5 1WU
  Telephone: 02920 423 291
  Textphone: 02920 644 886
  Fax: 02920 423 342
  Email: atwosu.cardiff@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk

Welfare benefits

If you have difficult to control epilepsy or other disabilities, you may be entitled to receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance (AA).

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

DLA is awarded to children and adults aged 64 or under, who have care needs and/or mobility needs. DLA is paid at different rates depending on how your disability affects you. To qualify, you must have needed help for at least three months because of a severe physical or mental illness or disability. You should need this help for at least another six months.

You could need help with care or mobility because of your disability or any treatment you are having.

DLA is tax-free and isn’t affected by any other income or savings that you have. It’s paid on top of any other earnings or income.

• More information about claiming DLA

Attendance Allowance (AA)

This benefit is similar to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) but is awarded to adults aged 65 and over, who have care needs. It’s paid at different rates depending on how your disability affects you.

Organisations who can offer more advice or information

The following organisations can provide more information about welfare benefits, filling in benefit forms, and possibly help with appeals.

• Benefits Agency
  Tel. 0800 44 11 44
• Cerebra (Foundation for the Brain Injured Child)
  Information about claiming DLA for children
  Tel. 0126 724 4200 www.cerebra.org.uk
• Citizens Advice Bureau
  For details of your local branch, tel. 020 7833 2181
  www.adviceguide.org.uk
• Dial UK (Disability Information and Advice Line Services)
  Tel. 01302 310 123 www.dialuk.org.uk
• Disability Alliance
  Tel. 020 7247 8776 www.disabilityalliance.org