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Information on epilepsy: What help is available? |
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This
is a brief explanation of some of the services and support available to
people with epilepsy and for people who care for someone with epilepsy.
Financial helpFree prescriptionsPeople with epilepsy are able to receive free prescriptions for their anti-epileptic medication, and also for other prescribed drugs. (This does not cover dental treatment or eye tests). To apply for free prescriptions, fill in the following form, available from doctors’ surgeries, hospitals or pharmacies:
Travel costs between your home and the hospitalIf you are on a low income or receive benefits you may be able to claim back your costs of travelling to and from hospital appointments, under the hospital travel costs scheme. For more information and an application form (called HC1) contact your hospital or local Jobcentre Plus, or call 0845 850 1166. Access to workIf you are unable to use public transport because of your epilepsy, you may be able to get financial help towards the cost of your transport to and from work, as part of the Access to Work (AtW) scheme. For further information about this scheme, and details of your nearest AtW Business Centre, contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or visit jobcentre plus website (opens new window) Discounted rail and bus travelEngland: From April 2008 people with disabilities are eligible for a free national bus pass. This can be used between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and bank holidays, anywhere in England. For a free pass, people with epilepsy are classed as ‘disabled’ if they would be refused a driving licence if they applied for one. So, if you have had a seizure in the last year and so wouldn’t be allowed to drive, then you should be eligible for a free pass. If you need a letter from a doctor to confirm that you are eligible, then you may have to pay for this. How do I get a free pass? If your pass is not upgraded automatically they will ask you to fill in a new application form. If you live in London and have a Scotland: If you have had a seizure within the last 12 months, you are entitled to a Scotland- wide free bus pass. This also applies to children with epilepsy aged 5-17 years. You can get an application form from your local council (or the Travel Card Unit if you live in Strathclyde). The Epilepsy Scotland Helpline (0808 800 2200) can also send you the forms. Wales: People with disabilities are eligible for free bus travel throughout Wales. This allows you to travel at any hour of the day, with no restrictions on peak or off peak hours. Visit http://new.wales.gov.uk for more details. Other transport: You may also be able to get a disabled person’s railcard. This card gives you, and a companion, a third off most fares. Call 0845 605 0525 or visit www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk for more details on how to apply. Some coach operators, such as National Express, offer half-fare schemes for people with disabilities. Contact the companies directly for more details. BenefitsHaving epilepsy does not automatically mean you will be entitled to receive benefits. Whether you are eligible for benefits depends on what your epilepsy is like and what effect it has on your life. Disability living allowance (DLA) and attendance allowance (AA) are benefi ts that do not depend on your income. They can be applied for whether or not you are working. In general, DLA is for people under the age of 65 and AA is for people aged 65 or over. To be eligible for one of these benefits, you need to have ‘care needs’ and/or ‘mobility needs’, which may include the need for supervision. If you receive DLA, you may also be entitled to other benefits or concessionary schemes. If you are under retirement age and are unable to work due to sickness or disability, you may be eligible to receive other benefits. The following can give more information on how to claim for benefits.
Disabled person's tax creditThis credit is a payment for working people who have a disability, and depends on the benefits a person is receiving because of their disability. For more information and an application form call the tax credit helpline on 0845 300 3900. Forms are also available from social security offices and Jobcentre Plus offices. VAT exemptionSome equipment is designed specifically to help people with disabilities, and these items do not include VAT. For more information, call the HM Customs and Excise national advice service on 0845 010 9000 or visit HM Customs and Excise website (opens new window) Help from Social ServicesDepending on what your epilepsy is like, you may be entitled to have an assessment of your needs. You can contact your local social services department and ask for an assessment, or a health professional can ask for this on your behalf. An assessment would take place in your home and usually looks at whether you have any physical difficulties, health needs, social recreation needs or housing needs. It also looks at what support you already receive, for example from family or friends. If the assessment identifies that you have care needs which meet the local authority’s criteria for community care services, then the local authority has a duty to provide or arrange for provision of these services. Sometimes they will make a charge for providing the services. Community care services aim to enable a person to live as independent and full a life as possible, and may include home help; adaptations to the home, such as installation of a shower or an alarm system; provision of meals; and access to recreational activities. Help for carersIf you are responsible for caring for someone who has a disability, and this is not paid or voluntary work for you, then you may be able to receive some help, even if you are not living with the person you are caring for. You may be entitled to receive a carer's assessment from your social services department. This may identify the need for home help, respite care, emotional support or other services. Some carers are able to claim carer's allowance. See benefits section above for how to get an application form and where you might be able to get help in completing the form. There
are also organisations that support carers by giving information, providing
respite care, or campaigning for carers' rights. Disability Discrimination ActThe DDA protects people with disabilities from being treated unfairly because of their disability. This includes areas such as access to goods, facilities and services; education; and employment. Most people with epilepsy are covered by the Act, even if their seizures are controlled with medication. For example:
If you feel you have been discriminated against because you have epilepsy, the Disability Rights Commission helpline on 08457 622633 may be able to help you. Disability Rights Commission website (opens new window) UK
Epilepsy Helpline: 01494 601400
©
The National Society for Epilepsy
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