Unlocking the Best Discounts and Benefits for the Disabled Community

Did you know that if you receive PIP disability benefit (Personal Independence Payment), you might be surprised by the number of additional benefits and discounts available to you. From free public services to exclusive discounts, PIP benefits can help improve your quality of life and help ease the financial burden that comes with being disabled. To help you understand what benefits you may be entitled to, we have put this useful Purpl guide together. The best benefit that disabled people in the UK can now receive with PIP is access to Purpl, the UK’s first disabled discount programme but of course we are biased. 

In this guide, we’ll give you all the details on what you can get for free with PIP, a quick overview on how you apply for PIP disability benefit, and how Purpl can help you save even more. If you wish to find out more about what is PIP and how to apply for PIP disability benefit then please read our article.

Firstly, the most important thing to know is that PIP is not means tested, you can have a full time job and earn a salary without it impacting your ability to receive PIP (Personal Independence Payment) disability benefit.

Please note: If you live in Scotland you will need to apply for Adult Disability Payment or Child Disability Payment. To find out how to apply for Scottish disability living payments for adults, please click here. To find out how to apply for Scottish disability living payments for your child, please click here.

If you live in Northern Ireland and wish to apply for PIP benefit, you will need to follow their process, to find out more information on how to apply for Personal Independence Payment in Northern Ireland click here.

What is PIP?

PIP (Personal Independence Payment) is a government benefit designed to support individuals who have long-term health conditions or disabilities. PIP benefit payments are there to help you cover the extra costs associated with managing these conditions. To find out more about PIP and how to claim for it see our associated article.

What Can You Get for Free with PIP?

Receiving PIP (Personal Independence Payment) disability benefits opens the door to a range of other support and discounts, from transportation to entertainment. Here is a list of what discounts you are eligible for if you receive PIP payments.

Discounted Travel 

If you qualify for PIP disability benefits, you may benefit from several public transport discounts. The great news is that if you have any of the disabled passes listed you can use them to apply for Purpl and gain access to our exclusive discounts for the disabled community.

1. Disability Discounts for Travelling By Bus

Depending on your local council, you may be eligible for a free disabled bus pass, making it easier to get out and about to social events and health appointments. You will need to receive the mobility component of PIP in order to claim for this PIP discount and you may also be eligible to get a free companion bus pass if you require a carer to assist you. 

To apply for a disabled bus pass for England please click here
To apply for a disabled bus pass for Wales please click here
To apply for a disabled bus pass in Scotland please click here
To apply for a disabled bus pass in Northern Ireland please click here

2. Disability Discounts for Travelling by Train

If you receive PIP payments then you can apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard, which will give you a discount of up to 1/3 off train fares for both yourself and a companion. To find out more on how to apply for a disabled train card please click here. The disabled railcard also comes with additional benefits so if you travel by train frequently it’s worth taking a look at what else you can get.

London Travel Concessions: If you are disabled and are a resident in London you qualify for the Freedom Pass, which allows free travel across all Transport for London (TfL) services, helping you get around without additional costs. To apply for a disabled persons Freedom Pass please click here.

2. Car Tax Reduction or Exemption

If you receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP, you could be eligible for a full exemption from vehicle tax. For those who qualify at the standard rate of PIP, there is a 50% reduction in car tax, making car ownership more affordable. Typically you claim for this when you apply for your vehicle tax. You can read more about it here.

3. Blue Badge Scheme

If you receive PIP disability benefits you are eligible to apply for a Blue Badge providing easier access to convenient parking spaces, often free of charge. This badge can make trips to busy city centres, shopping areas, or medical facilities much more manageable. If you receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component for PIP you will automatically be eligible, for more information on eligibility for blue badge please click here.

You can also use a Blue Badge to join Purpl and gain access to our disabled discounts, just ensure you upload the photo side of your blue badge.

4. Motability Scheme

If you are awarded the enhanced rate of PIP for the mobility component and you have a minimum of 12 months left on your current award then you are eligible to join the Motability Scheme. 

You can exchange part or all of your mobility disability PIP/DLA component for a brand new car, a WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle), a scooter or a powered wheelchair so you can enjoy more independence and freedom 

Through the Motability Scheme, you will have access to thousands of cars to choose from and everything is included (except for fuel). This means you will save on car insurance, tax, servicing and any repairs. Your whole family can use the car (although some cars won’t be insurable for adults under 25 years). If you have a disabled child you may also be eligible to join the Motability scheme to help you get them out and about. For more information about the Motability Scheme for disabled people, please click here.

4. Free Entry to Attractions and Leisure Activities

Some attractions and events will offer discounts for disabled people and/or a free carer / companion ticket.

• Cinema – you can apply for a CEA Card to get a free carer/companion ticket every time you visit. For more information about CEA card please click here. You can also use your CEA card to apply for Purpl Disabled Discounts
• National Trust / English Heritage – you can apply for an Essential Companion card to gain free entry for up to two carers. For more information please click here 
• CADW – you can apply for a disabled persons card CDAW historic buildings and gardens in Wales. To apply click here
• Merlin Entertainment – you can apply to get a card for a free carer companion and you can also apply for a Merlin ride access card which is designed – to apply for a Merlin Ride Access card please click here and to apply for a free companion carer card click here. Purpl members can also get 10% off an Access Card.

5. Free Prescriptions and Medical Equipment

Healthcare costs can add up quickly if you have a long-term health condition or a disability. If you receive PIP disability payments you can also be eligible to save on these extra costs depending on your disability type.

You are entitled to a medical exemption certificate for free NHS prescriptions if you have one of the following specified health conditions:

• You have a long-term physical disability needing assistance to leave home.
• You have a permanent fistula requiring ongoing surgical dressing or an appliance.
• You have diabetes (not diet-treated), hypoparathyroidism, myxoedema, hypopituitarism, Addison’s disease, or myasthenia gravis needing essential therapy.
• You have epilepsy requiring ongoing anti-convulsive treatment.

Additional support may be available based on your household income and other circumstances. You can complete the questionnaire on the government website to determine what extra support you are eligible for.

6. VAT Exemption

Disabled individuals can benefit from VAT exemptions on specific goods and services, making essential items more affordable. 

VAT exemptions apply to eligible products that assist with your disability, for example:

• Mobility Aids: Wheelchairs, scooters.
• Home Adaptations: Stairlifts, ramps.
• Medical Equipment: Adjustable beds, hoists, incontinence products.

You cannot claim back after the purchase so it is important to check that the supplier has a VAT declaration form that you complete before purchasing and then they will remove the VAT from your order. 

7. Mobility Equipment

Most disabled individuals needing equipment to live more independently can obtain it for free from their local authority. To access these items, you must request a social care needs assessment for things like:

• Bathroom aids
• Wheelchairs
• Mobility scooters

You can also purchase the equipment you need. Used items are often more affordable. Loans and hire-purchase agreements may provide faster access to equipment, but they usually cost more than paying upfront.

To apply for a social care needs assessment click here 

8. Disability Grants for Home Renovations

Depending on your income you may be eligible for a Disability Facilities Grant (DFG) alongside your PIP benefit payment. This grant is provided by your local council to fund essential adaptations for your home, ensuring it meets your mobility and safety needs. To apply for a disabilities facilities grant please click here

Exclusive Discounts with Purpl

Our founder launched Purpl as she understands firsthand how expensive it is when you live with a disability. According to Scope the disability price tag (the cost of being disabled) is currently at circa £1000 extra per month for one disabled person. 

Purpl is here to help you save money and level the playing field so that the disabled community can afford to spend money on more than just their  offer even more exclusive discounts for people who have disabilities. You can sign up for Purpl with your PIP disability award letter or one of the other accepted documents. To find out what you can use, please review our upload guide.

Purpl is here to help you save money to reduce the cost of living with a disability.

• Fashion and Beauty: Purpl offers exclusive discounts for clothing, shoes and accessories from your favourite brands including Debenhams discount code, Pavers discount code, Secret Sales discount code and many more
• Home Entertainment Offers: Save money on televisions, laptops and mobile phones, plus Purpl has a SKY discounts for disabled members so take a look at current offers. These are always being updated and we are constantly working hard to bring you more and more great discounts.
• Food Offers: You can save money on your food shopping with our Ocado new customer discount code or perhaps you would like to stock up on essentials with the Purpl Poundland discount code.
• Toys and Games: With great offers on toys you can save money with the Purpl Hornby discount code or if cars are more your things then check out our Scalextric discount code.

Purpl helps disabled people who receive PIP benefit payments find more ways to save and stretch their budget, making everyday expenses more manageable and accessible.

More Tips for PIP Savings

To get the most out of your PIP entitlement, here are a few tips:

1. Research Your Local Council’s Benefits: Many local councils offer additional benefits such as reduced entry fees for local events and free access to leisure centres for PIP recipients.
2. Always Ask About Concessions: Many attractions and stores offer discounts for PIP recipients that aren’t always advertised, so it’s always worth asking.

Join Purpl Today and Maximise Your Savings

If you’re looking to get the most out of your PIP benefits, Purpl is here to help. By signing up with Purpl, you can unlock exclusive discounts designed to support the disabled community and make life more affordable.

Ready to start saving? Sign up with Purpl today with your PIP Award letter and explore the incredible range of discounts available for the disabled community. Maximise your PIP benefits, take advantage of all the freebies available, and enjoy life with fewer financial constraints.