Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get a free carer's ticket?

55 replies

roseapothecary · 04/08/2021 17:25

Looking at booking tickets for a day out for DS1's bday, they have free carers tickets. DS2 is 3 and receives DLA. Does this mean we could get a free carer's ticket for me or DH or is it aimed at adults who need a carer?
Obviously a 3 year old would need an adult with them regardless of any disabilities, so not sure if it's allowed or even if it is whether it would be morally wrong?

OP posts:
LifeBeginsNow · 04/08/2021 18:41

@SimonJT

Its worth asking.

My husband gets PIP, he took my son to a farm/play place recently, my son (6) got in free as a carer 😂 as they automatically make one ticket a free carer one if a paying person has PIP/DLA/bluebadge

I'm in receipt of PIP and didn't know this was an option. What do you take with you to prove it? Just your PIP award letter? I can't walk/ stand/ sit for long and have cut short many a day trip. This would soften the blow a little.
phishy · 04/08/2021 18:53

Definitely get the carer’s ticket, you are entitled, as the parent.

FreezerBird · 04/08/2021 19:00

@Legoisawesome

Take the discount. Days out with my disabled child often end prematurely or we can’t enjoy all that’s on offer because he gets overwhelmed. This means we have far less good value from a day out and the carers tickets help balance this out. Also have a disabled child is expensive and these things really help. Don’t feel bad.
This.

It's really hard when they're little, and would have you with them anyway, to work out what 'caring' is happening because they're little, and what is related to the disability. You don't need to work it out. This scheme is there to benefit you and your family. Use it and have a lovely time!

feellikeanalien · 04/08/2021 19:02

Do it OP. I didn't do it for ages as I felt guilty because DD was not "disabled enough". She does struggle with long walks though. I finally decided to do this at Edinburgh Zoo. The just needed to see a copy of the DLA letter and my Carers Allowance letter.

When I produced this I not only got a carers ticket but they also gave us a special map showing steep areas and where there were lots of stairs (DD struggles with stairs sometimes). We also got a minibus to the top as the climb is very steep and I think DD would have struggled.

Life is hard enough with a disabled child. If you are entitled to something there is no shame in claiming it.

Carthief · 04/08/2021 19:40

If you qualify for it then don’t feel guilty - the more people that use these then the more able the parks are to gauge uptake and actually provide decent accommodations for disabled visitors.

Most of the ones I’ve seen though are tied to a fee paying ticket so the carers ticket is free but the person who receives the DLA/PIP still pays (sometimes a concession price) because the point is to ensure the disabled person doesn’t pay more than everyone else as a result of their disability (which would be the case if they had to pay for two tickets)

If your DS ticket isn’t chargeable (at 2 he might get in free anyway) then there won’t be a free carers ticket attached to it at some parks so definitely worth checking.

Sirzy · 04/08/2021 19:43

Children may need to be cared for all the time BUT if a child is disabled enough to be on DLA then that takes it to a whole other level of care needed (hence qualifying)

TheWitchersWife · 04/08/2021 19:55

My 4 year old son is in receipt of DLA and I said the same thing to DH, that realistically as he's 4 he'd need someone with him to supervise anyway, but I still get the carers ticket. I normally Facebook messenger the attraction before hand and ask if its applicable to my situation and what proof they require (usually just the DLA award letter). Everyone has been super informative, polite and kind so far.
Our days out usually are cut short because DS is tired, overwhelmed or misses the safeness and routine of being at home. It does help balance things out and makes days out a better experiance as there is less bitterness of wasting money if we leave after 2 hours instead of 8.

FreezerBird · 04/08/2021 19:56

the more people that use these then the more able the parks are to gauge uptake and actually provide decent accommodations for disabled visitors.

This is also really important!

Lindy2 · 04/08/2021 20:10

My DD receives DLA. I often get free entry as her carer. Sometimes she also gets reduced price entry. It all depends on the place you are going.

Often it's worth emailing to check beforehand if the website of the attraction isn't clear. I usually get a prompt reply. Generally most places are very helpful when it involves a child on DLA.

Take your DLA award letter as proof. Some places will need to see this as evidence.

It took a while to get used to asking about carers' tickets. I felt quite self conscious and it was actually hard to openly acknowledge to strangers that DD has a disability.

Carer's tickets have been very useful though and I often find staff are more understanding when they are aware of the DLA.

12step · 04/08/2021 20:20

Absolutely you are entitled to it - and as a parent of a child with SEN it’s heartening to see so many people in support of it here! I think that when our SEN children are very young we find it hard to accept that we are carers as well as parents. But when our children become older, we realise that we are actually providing so much more daily care for than for their typically-developing peers. It’s hard to view yourself as not just a parent, but a carer too, but be kind to yourself and accept each and every little bit of support on offer. My son’s brother thought the free tickets were cool and had no issue with it… it was just me Grin

TowandaForever · 04/08/2021 20:23

Isn't this for people who claim caters allowance because there children are on higher level dla?

HollyandJingles · 04/08/2021 20:23

Yes you should do it. My DD has cystic fibrosis, she has DLA and sometimes needs extra help, but you would never know to look at her. She just looks like a normal thirteen year old.
Ive only done this once as I felt guilty which I realise is utterly ridiculous. Its hard having a child with extra needs, Ive booked tickets for somewhere next week and Im using the carers ticket. I wish Id always done it and not been so daft!

Sirzy · 04/08/2021 20:25

@TowandaForever

Isn't this for people who claim caters allowance because there children are on higher level dla?
You don’t need to be claiming carers allowance in most places. It’s based on the person your caring for being in receipt of DLA/PIP
IHaveBrilloHair · 04/08/2021 20:27

Yes, you can get one.
I've got them for Dd or friends many times, it's what they are there for, I couldn't have gone without someone with me.

phishy · 04/08/2021 20:31

@TowandaForever

Isn't this for people who claim caters allowance because there children are on higher level dla?
No, there are various entitlements, including just having a blue badge (no carer’s allowance).
Grinch48 · 04/08/2021 20:38

If you get PIP or have a blue badge you can pretty much get discounts in loads of places
If you travel by train you can get a discounted disabled rail card where you get 1/3 off and I think the same for a carer
Lots of Zoos including longleat The London Eye London boat trips all do free carers ticket
You normally just need a copy of your PIP / DLA award
In Theme parks you will often get quicker access to all the rides as well
Also Disney Land Paris offers a quick pass if you have blue badge - PIP
So you jump the queues - and it’s valid for the whole family
Disney USA used to do something similar but I think they want more proof as people were really abusing it

Didiplanthis · 04/08/2021 20:38

We do. A day out with my boys is in no way a pleasant fun outing for the family but if we play it right and work very hard, it can be a lovely day out for them and we don't disrupt anyone else's fun either but it is full on 1:1 support at all times. I get very little opportunity to enjoy the attraction. I do not feel guilty not paying for my day. No-one looking at us would ever realize how tough it is, how hard we are working and micromanaging every moment..

Grinch48 · 04/08/2021 20:43

For anyone going to Disneyland Paris 😂
www.disneylandparis.com/en-gb/guest-services/guests-with-mobility-disabilities/
They also give carers free passes

Grinch48 · 04/08/2021 20:47

www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/

I would often go to Bath Spa with my cousin who is disabled and had a blue badge
She got a discount and I got in free as her carer . We would spend a lovely afternoon in the pool in the sun
Basically anywhere you go even on holiday abroad just ask if they do a discount if your disabled or need a carer

itsgettingwierd · 04/08/2021 20:49

Usually it states on the website what conditions are for carers ticket.

It's usually "requires a carer to to able to attend the attraction".

I think it's fair to say a 3yo passes that test!

My ds has had dla since young and now on pip.

I've always got the free carers ticket even when I'd have had to go anyway because of his age. It took a while to get use to it but the fact he gets dla means you care for him over and above the usual care required for a 3yo.

If you can get a carers ticket then go for it! And have a lovely day Smile

itsgettingwierd · 04/08/2021 20:55

And yes to abroad too.

They have been quite far behind us but when ds and I went to Spain a few years ago we did kids because I got free carers ticket. It meant I was more able to afford to try him doing lots of different things he maybe wouldn't cope with.

endingintiers · 04/08/2021 20:56

I had to go part time at work to facilitate my child's invisible disability. They're in receipt of DLA. Sometimes we have to leave somewhere almost immediately if it doesn't work for them. The free carer's ticket helps soften the financial blow.

TheFairyCaravan · 04/08/2021 20:57

Yes do it.

I’m the disabled one in my family so we’ve used it for lots of things. Tickets to concerts, the zoo, theme parks, cinema, London Eye. If you’re in receipt of the benefit then you’re entitled to use it. Some places ask for the award letter as proof, though.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

elliejjtiny · 04/08/2021 21:05

Do it. I have 3 dc who get dla and we use the free carers tickets to take dh's mum and dad with us. We couldn't do a trip out like that without the 2 extra pairs of hands.

Meraas · 04/08/2021 21:09

@Grinch48

www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/

I would often go to Bath Spa with my cousin who is disabled and had a blue badge
She got a discount and I got in free as her carer . We would spend a lovely afternoon in the pool in the sun
Basically anywhere you go even on holiday abroad just ask if they do a discount if your disabled or need a carer

Did you go halves on her ticket? 😃