I have a blue badge and I'm in receipt of pip for daily living. For my bronch and severe asthma. My badge is my saviour and allows me to get out by myself, albeit for a short while. When we go on family outings or days out I rely on my husband, I could not manage by myself. I take advantage of the fact most places offer free or reduced price entry for companions, to allow my husband entry. I've never had an issues with this, infanct some places have been so accommodating and nice about the whole thing. I have just enquired about accessibility for an event I would like to take my family to. After a few emails, finally got a reply. Yes to blue badge parking. But for a companion ticket my husband would need his carer pass. I've never heard of this. A quick google takes me to Merlin branded free carer pass for their attractions. I found a carer card that's £15 and the site looks a little dodgey. I enquired again and they were insistent. I replied to say I've not heard of it, is it their thing. They then said just proof of his carers allowance is fine. As far as I am aware just being in receipt of carers allowance doesn't make you a carer. My husband doesn't get it as he works. It seems a bit odd for an event to be so specific? I have never come across anywhere an expectation for proof of carers allowance is the only thing that would admit a carer/companion for free or discounted rate. Has anyone else come across this?
Sorry for the incredibly long winded question!😂
Thank you.
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Treed12
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I have never heard of this. The venue need educating. You need a carer so the carer on the day is whoever is looking after you. Contact the person who owns the venue and tell them to educate their staff. At the RSC I get a disabled price ticket and I also get one for the person who is going to go with me, whoever that might be.
. As far as I know there is no such thing as an official carers card.
I’ve heard of this and also find it odd. We were going somewhere once and a carers pass was mentioned. I’m not in receipt of carers allowance either as I receive a state pension. I think we just didn’t go in the end. Surely proof of address and who your husband is should suffice? Also your proof of PIP would also help.
As you say, must places are very accommodating but not all apparently. Hope you get things sorted out. I wish you well. Xxx
Anyone who qualifies can receive Attendance Allowance on top of their state pension as it's not taxable. We got Age UK to come and fill it in for my o/h because some of the questions were ambiguous. Also he has an emergency call button which he pays for and they gave me a Carer's card so that if I were to be taken unwell whilst out hopefully they would find it and check on him. May not be of use to you but just thought I'd mention it xxx
I would definitely not go to that venue and then write to their local newspaper pointing out how they are discriminating against disabled patrons by creating their own hoops for them and their carers to jump through. As if living life with a disability wasn’t difficult enough. Disgraceful!
Its annoyed me to say the least. They've made me feel like I'm being difficult. My hubby wants to complain to the local council. That will be interesting. It has put me off going tho. I cant imagine they will be too accommodating there!
Complain to everybody and involve the media. It is ridiculous. Is this the Merlin organisation putting these conditions on? They certainly can't do with the bad publicity. All tourist destinations are suffering at the moment because of the drop in visitors due to the corona virus. I work in Stratford and we are 20% down. They deserve a goid kicking.
No it's not Merlin.. I just meant if you Google carer pass it's all that came up with that terminology. It's a local events ground near me. It's a new event, they obviously haven't done their homework!
As far as I'm aware a carer doesn't have to actually receive any carers allowance if their income is too high or if you a pensioner etc. What you can apply for though is an underlying entitlement to it which alone can open up other benefits.
I would ring up BLF and speak to their benefit advisor. x
A carer doesn’t have to receive carer’s allowance to be allowed free entry or a companion ticket, however, they can ask the disabled person to prove that they are disabled, usually by means of a PIP award letter in adults or corresponding DLA letter in children. You mention Merlin, and most of the attractions they run that I’ve visited with the not so small person also accept a blue badge as proof of disability, or a letter from a consultant that explicitly states that there is a need for a carer to obtain a carer’s ticket. Some of their attractions are broader than that - Madame Tussaud’s will accept a whole bunch of stuff to obtain a free carer’s ticket, including just a carer’s allowance letter, and I do usually take mine in addition to Bod’s DLA letter whenever we go anywhere, but it is just personal preference: as has already been stated elsewhere, some staff are not well trained, so whilst you don’t need carer’s allowance to be a carer, as I receive it, I take the letter to minimise the occasional hassle and difficulties we encounter. What/where exactly are you looking to go?
Thanks for your reply. It's a local event. It's their first time running it. Big places have policies I know and always check first and their always so helpful
There’s your answer - small, local or one-off attractions often don’t have arrangements in place (even though they should), and legally, there isn’t actually a requirement for any venue/attraction to provide concessionary tickets to a disabled person. What is considered necessary is that ‘reasonable adjustment’ be made for all disabled people, and a free companion/carer’s ticket is considered a reasonable adjustment under the equality act and human rights legislation by many organisations, because they recognise that many disabled people wouldn’t be able to attend or participate without the support of a carer. Again though, there is no legal obligation to do so, the legal obligation is simply to make reasonable adjustments: if the venue/attraction does not see reduced rates or a carer’s ticket to be a reasonable adjustment and you can’t show them the error of their ways, then the only choice is to raise a formal complaint of disability discrimination with the organisers. There’s information on challenging no free carers ticket at the following website, along with a link to a template letter you can use:
Another thing that some local attractions have is a register of patrons who need easy access or assistance in the building. However these often have to be reveiwed every year. Hope this helps.
Hi Treed12, I felt very frustrated when I read your letter. I have had a similar frustrating conversation with my local authority over my husband, who is my carer, being allowed a pass to accompany me to my aqua sessions. It was so complicated i gave up. I was angry because I can afford to give up but what about the millions of others who cannot afford to pay. Maximonkey
In our city we have a special card for leisure facilities which I beleive can include a carer so both get a discount.For instance if you have this card the motor museum is free instead of £11.50 per person. I beleive the new swimming facilities are the same.in respect of discounts but not free.you have to be a city resident for discounts or to get the card for them.
Hi Katie, our council offer the same but only after a great deal of paperwork. Also we did not bother because I would need to be with my husband each time and as I never know when I shall be well enough to go to aqua it would not work for us. Thanks anyway, Maximonkey
With reference your post question, most places ask for disability proof and carers proof . At our local theatre proof for discounts has to be produced when ordering or collecting tickets that also applies to OAP discounts. If you are known at the venue they often forgo this need. You are correct it is not your husband who gets the allowance you do and claim discounts on the basis that you need a carer with you it can be any person.
I have a bus pass, your passport shows age, or your birth certificate,pension letter from DWP, fuel payment latter from DWP or bank account with pension payment going in. Hope that helps.
You don't say if this is a DLA vehicle. If it is and your husband is a named driver I don't see any reason why the production of your insurance would not suffice.
I would WRITE to, not email, the Company explaining exactly, your situation -in as much detail, as your happy with. By all means, point out, that 'Most' companies, allow Carers, in for Free (or a very reduce rate). Incidentally you don't know, if the person you spoke to, is in Authority or just 'Following A Script'.
I must confess, that I haven't ever heard, of this either but then 'Different Places, Different Rules' and all that.
Sorry, that I can't be, any more help Treed12. Can you let us know, how you 'get on' please?
I had sent a letter of complaint. Today I received a reply, apologising and to say they have amended their policy allowing a free companion with proof of PIP. I can now go
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So now I'm hobbling! 
