No two people are affected by epilepsy in the same way. For one person it could mean complete seizure control with medication, for another it could mean frequent and uncontrolled seizures.
Entitlement to welfare benefits and other financial assistance will depend on how a person is affected by their epilepsy on a day-to-day basis, and their personal circumstances. Unpaid carers may also be entitled to financial help.
Always seek advice from a professional benefits adviser such as your local Citizens Advice Bureau or a welfare rights service before you complete any benefits application forms to get the best possible outcome for you.
You may be entitled to some of the financial assistance listed below.
Welfare benefits
As more and more benefits are transferred over to Social Security Scotland, make sure you always get professional up-to-date benefits advice. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau is a good starting point for a benefits check. You can also check out their sections on benefits on the Citizens Advice website.
Disability related benefits such as Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are not means tested. This means that even if you are in full-time employment you may be entitled to it.
Scotland specific benefits
There are many benefits which are specific to Scotland such as:
- Carer’s Allowance Supplement
- Young Carers Grant
- Discretionary Housing Payments in Scotland
- Best Start Pregnancy and Baby Grant payments
- Scottish Welfare Fund for emergencies if you are on a low income
- Other benefits may be available to parents of children with a severe disability or low income families such as the Child Winter Heating Assistance or the Scottish Child Payment
For full details of Scottish specific benefits, please see the following websites at https://www.mygov.scot/benefits/ or https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/benefits
You can also find out more from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
National Entitlement Card (free bus pass)
Anyone in the UK aged 16 and over who has had a seizure in the last 12 months and is receiving treatment for epilepsy will be entitled to a free Scotland wide bus pass (National Entitlement Card). Some people may get a companion card if they are in receipt of certain benefits. A companion card will allow another adult to travel with them free of charge.
Any young person of fare paying age (5 to 15) and with an epilepsy diagnosis can get a free bus pass if they meet other criteria, such as receiving Child Disability Payment.
Also check out the under 22s free bus pass scheme which allows any young person irrespective of disability/epilepsy to apply for a free bus pass. For more information on the different options, check out our Transport section.
Disabled Person’s Railcard
Anyone in the UK who has epilepsy and who still has regular seizures despite taking anti-seizure medication, will be entitled to a Disabled Person’s Railcard. You have to buy this card for a yearly fee which then gives you one third off train fares for travel across the UK. An adult travelling with you will also get one third off the fare.
You can get your railcard by calling 0845 605 0525 or visiting their webpage: www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.
Trusts and charities
Financial help in the form of grants may be available from a number of trusts and charities. Organisations such as Turn2us 0808 802 2000 can help you find those trusts which may be able to help.
If you are not sure what kind of financial help you may be entitled to in Scotland, you can get further information and guidance via the below publications.
