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Original poster

Carers tickets

30 replies

MumOf3GirlsDorset · 14/02/2024 13:12

Hello all,

I am looking for some advice, I have 3 children and 2 of them have additional needs. My middle daughter is diagnosed ASD and ADHD and my youngest child is going through the process, although we do have an access card for her.

I am thinking of booking a day out and wondering about carers tickets, my friend has told me that as I have 2 disabled children, we can book 2 carers tickets.

The tickets would be for myself and my husband, the thing is I feel awful about booking 2. I thought I would only be able to book 1 as just booking children's tickets doesn't feel right.

Any advice would be amazing.

OP posts:
TheIceQween · 14/02/2024 13:13

I think you just get the one. If there’s one person that gets carers allowance then you get the free entry. If both of you get CA, then you’d get 2

olderthanyouthink · 14/02/2024 13:14

We did this for one disabled person (can't remember if he was under 18, probably) for a theme park. Booked one ticket for my brother and two half price carers tickets for me and my dad, there was a restriction on the carers tickets that we couldn't go one rides without the disabled person but 🤷‍♀️ wasn't a big deal.

Take the perk, they're few and a far between

PotatoFan · 14/02/2024 13:14

You don’t have to use the carers cards, if you’d feel better booking one adult, one carer and two kids then do that.

TeenDivided · 14/02/2024 13:15

You would expect children to have an adult with them anyway. So 2 carers tickets and no adult ones seems unlikely to me. But I know nothing about this.

Sirzy · 14/02/2024 13:15

check the criteria for the venue but at most places if someone gets DLA/PIP they will offer a free carers ticket per person.

TigerRag · 14/02/2024 13:15

TheIceQween · 14/02/2024 13:13

I think you just get the one. If there’s one person that gets carers allowance then you get the free entry. If both of you get CA, then you’d get 2

It's nothing to do with CA. I'm entitled to a carer ticket for friends. Only I have been asked for proof.

Willyoujustbequiet · 14/02/2024 13:17

Yes it's perfectly possible to get 2. We do.

But it depends on the place/event as often they have individual rules. Some require evidence of the disability like a dla letter but some require a carer's letter. Unless you have 2 registered carers then you might not qualify.

Whiteandgreen6 · 14/02/2024 13:18

Sirzy · 14/02/2024 13:15

check the criteria for the venue but at most places if someone gets DLA/PIP they will offer a free carers ticket per person.

This ⬆️

At least 1 in 5 are now classed as disabled. Being disabled e.g dyslexic, doesn’t automatically mean you need carer support. You need to check out the t&cs of the places you want to visit

TheIceQween · 14/02/2024 13:20

So does your husband have a carers ticket? I don’t even know what one of these are

DelilahBucket · 14/02/2024 13:22

If you can book two then book two. I can't imagine a day out with three children, two with additional needs is easy, and I certainly wouldn't begrudge you that second ticket. Can't imagine anyone else would either.

LittleOwl153 · 14/02/2024 13:23

The question is do each of your children need a carer, beyond that of a child their age, or would 1 adult manage both? Would you be able to take them both on your own and your children be able to access as much whilst there as 2 other children their age?

I'm going to suggest that you do need more than 1 adult (with eyes in the back of your head and much more...) for each child and therefore the 2 carers tickets are justified. If you children coped as well as their peers, they wouldn't have the diagnosis they do would they?

It's a hard on OP. I get that. (I have 1 disabled child who many will say - she's not disabled...) We make use of the discounts and reductions for her as without them she (nor her brother) would get to experience these things as she would not cope.

(Have you applied for DLA for the kids too?)

dingledangledinkledoo · 14/02/2024 13:25

My two nephews are disabled and me and their mum always get two carers tickets. But it does depend on the venue. Alton towers, Lego land and Chester zoo are brilliant for accommodating carers. Blackpool pleasure beach, not so much. We have access cards but if pre booking some places allow you to send proof of DLA before hand to fasttrack entrance. Check the websites accessibility page.

Pumpkinpie1 · 14/02/2024 13:26

Venues vary. Some places require proof of disability, others receipt of carers . Easiest to ring venue.
If you have two children in receipt of DLA both you and your H could both be allowed entry as their carers. In that case I would expect only to be charged 2 children tickets.

chiwwy · 14/02/2024 13:57

TheIceQween · 14/02/2024 13:13

I think you just get the one. If there’s one person that gets carers allowance then you get the free entry. If both of you get CA, then you’d get 2

No one has ever asked to see my carer’s allowance proof for a carer ticket (I don’t qualify for CA)

The DLA (and then PIP) letter has been enough.

And yes, OP, get two carers ticket. Do separate transactions if it makes it easier, one for you and dc, one for DH and dc.

Whiteandgreen6 · 14/02/2024 14:02

Historically DLA and PIP letters have been enough proof for a careers ticket for me but a number of places are now insisting on an access card.

madderthanahatter · 14/02/2024 14:06

It's one free carer per disabled child. You generally need proof of the child's DLA, you don't even need to be a registered carer. Don't feel bad OP, the concession is there to be used!

DragonFly98 · 14/02/2024 14:16

TheIceQween · 14/02/2024 13:13

I think you just get the one. If there’s one person that gets carers allowance then you get the free entry. If both of you get CA, then you’d get 2

It's not related to carers allowance in any way. The vast majority of carers earn too much to qualify for CA.

Willyoujustbequiet · 14/02/2024 14:20

DragonFly98 · 14/02/2024 14:16

It's not related to carers allowance in any way. The vast majority of carers earn too much to qualify for CA.

Show quote history

We've been refused at a few places because although we had DLA letters etc... they based their policies on the carer not the disabled person.

It was mainly outdoor events like agricultural shows/fairs.

trooc · 14/02/2024 14:21

Juts book the tickets and don't give it another thought

UnbeatenMum · 14/02/2024 14:26

I have an Access Card for my DD. Not exactly the same scenario but I've been to quite a lot of places and paid for 2 or 3 child tickets and got 1 free carer ticket (i.e. I was the only adult attending). Nowhere has said I can't do that so far. We often don't stay as long as other families and I think the discount is also recognition of the extra costs of having disabled children (or being disabled).

DragonFly98 · 14/02/2024 14:26

Willyoujustbequiet · 14/02/2024 14:20

We've been refused at a few places because although we had DLA letters etc... they based their policies on the carer not the disabled person.

It was mainly outdoor events like agricultural shows/fairs.

Edited
Show quote history

They were wrong to do that they either provide a free carer or they don't they can't discriminate based on someone's earnings.

Willyoujustbequiet · 14/02/2024 14:42

DragonFly98 · 14/02/2024 14:26

They were wrong to do that they either provide a free carer or they don't they can't discriminate based on someone's earnings.

Show quote history

I did try and argue but they were having none of it.

It was the biggest agricultural show in the north east so you would imagine disability would be considered.

DragonFly98 · 14/02/2024 15:40

Willyoujustbequiet · 14/02/2024 14:42

I did try and argue but they were having none of it.

It was the biggest agricultural show in the north east so you would imagine disability would be considered.

Show quote history

That's really bad an cross on your behalf. Hope you still enjoyed the day.

delilabell · 14/02/2024 15:43

Book two. You have two children with additional needs. You couldn't leave either of them alone so you need someone for each of them.

Troglo · 14/02/2024 15:56

I have never been asked to provide proof that I get carer’s allowance or that my DS gets DLA and we go places all over the country (England, Wales and Scotland) and make use of the free entry for a carer/PA extensively, and have done for years.

My local authority hands out flimsy, laminated bits of credit card sized paper when you sign up to their register of disabled children, and that is all I have ever shown to anyone, but most don’t even ask to see that. For clarity my DS has an invisible disability.

I don’t work. DS’s needs make that hard. I justify getting free entry for myself on the basis that if DS wasn’t disabled I would be working and we’d be better off. Also, as he doesn’t attend extra-curricular activities, as there are next to none that meet his needs that he’d be interested in doing, I need to do something to keep him busy, and going to zoos, farms, NT sites, museums, etc is what he likes. We have several annual memberships for attractions near us just in DS’s name but with a free, un-named carer, which can then be me, DP, other family members etc.

With two disabled children I would not have any qualms in booking two carers tickets.

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