What help is available?

Here are some of the practical and financial services and support available to people with epilepsy and people who care for them. Whether or not you feel that you have a disability, you may be eligible for support.

Financial help 

Free prescriptions 

People with epilepsy are entitled to free prescriptions for their anti-seizure medication, as well as for any other prescribed drugs (but not dental treatment or eye tests). To apply, fill in the form FP92A, available at your doctor’s surgery. Your GP must sign your application. You may be asked to show your exemption card when you collect your prescription. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all prescriptions are free.

NHS low income scheme (LIS)

If you are on a low income or benefits, you may be able to claim back some of your costs of travelling to some medical appointments, under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). The Low Income Scheme may also cover some dental and eye care costs. Call the Low Income Scheme helpline on 0300 330 1343 for details.

VAT exemption

The cost of some equipment designed specifically to help people with disabilities does not include VAT. For example, you may not have to pay VAT on a seizure alarm system.

 visit gov.uk.

Discounted public transport 

If you are having seizures you may be entitled to free or discounted travel. This is usually because you would be refused a driving licence if you applied for one. You will usually need some proof that you are eligible for the discount, depending on where you live and the rules of the discount scheme.

Rail travel

A disabled person’s railcard gives you, and a companion, a third off most fares. Call 0345 605 0525 for more information.

Bus and tube travel

• England: A national bus pass is free. Some councils have additional travel discounts. Contact your local council for an application form or visit gov.uk for more information.
• London: A Freedom Pass gives you free bus, train, tram and tube travel in London. Call 0300 330 1433 for more information. Some boroughs have a London Taxicard Scheme for reduced cost taxi travel. Call 0207 934 9791 or visit londoncouncils.gov.uk for more information.
• Merseyside: A Merseytravel National Travel Pass offers free travel on buses, trains and Mersey Ferries. Call 0300 131 2881 for more information.
• Scotland: The 'National Entitlement Card' gives you free travel throughout Scotland. Contact your local authority for an application form, or visit transport.gov.scot
• Northern Ireland: If you cannot drive due to epilepsy, you can get a Half Fare SmartPass for bus and rail travel.Visit nidirect.gov.uk
• Wales: you, and a companion, may be eligible for free or discounted travel throughout Wales with a Disabled Concessionary Bus Pass. 

Coach travel

Some coach operators, such as National Express, offer discount fare schemes for people with disabilities. Contact companies directly for more details.

Access to work

If 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, through the Access to Work scheme. Call 0800 121 7479. 

Blue badge scheme

If you find it difficult to get around, you may be able to apply for a blue badge to help you park closer to your destination. Visit gov.uk

Vehicle tax exemption

If you receive benefits, you may be eligible for free road tax for a car registered in your name, which someone drives for you, with you as a passenger. Visit gov.uk

Help with finding a job

You can look for a job through your local Jobcentre Plus office, personal contacts, newspaper and website adverts, or employment agencies. Jobcentre Plus offices have Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) who help you with your job search. They may help with assessments and referral to schemes offering support, such as The Work and Health Programme.

They may also have information on employers who are positive about employing people with disabilities, who are signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme. 

Benefits

You may be entitled to benefits, and other support. These might include Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit and Attendance Allowance. You will need to meet certain requirements in order to qualify for these benefits. Visit gov.uk

The following organisations can also provide support, information and advice on benefits:

• Turn2us. 
• Citizens Advice Bureau. Call 0800 144 8848 (England), or 0800 702 2020 (Wales).
• GOV.UK 
• Campaign toolkit - Help for Households - help from the government with the cost of living.

Help from Social Services

Health and social care assessment

Depending on how your epilepsy affects you, you may be entitled to a ‘health and social care assessment’. This looks at whether you have any physical or health difficulties, social or housing needs, and what support you already receive. If the assessment identifies needs which meet the local authority’s criteria, then they have a duty to arrange relevant community care services for you. These services may include meals, home help, adaptations to the home such as a shower or personal alarm, and access to leisure activities. You may need to pay some of the costs. 

Disabled facilities grant

If you need to make changes to your home to make it safe and accessible, you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant. 

NHS continuing healthcare

If you have complex, long-term health needs, you might qualify for NHS continuing healthcare, which is a social care package funded by the NHS.

Help for families

We have information about children and education,  and information for parents and young people. We also offer support through our helpline.

The following organisations also offer support.

• Contact 
• Family Fund 

Help for students

A Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) helps cover the cost of any practical support you need. It does not depend on your income or that of your household. Unlike student loans, DSA does not have to be repaid.

Call 0330 995 0414 or visit Disability Rights UK for their Disabled Students Helpline.  

Help for carers

If you are an unpaid carer for someone with a disability, you may be entitled to a 'carer’s assessment' from your social services department, or to apply for carer’s Allowance.

See our pages for carers for more information.

Information updated: September 2024