Money, Travel & Getting Around

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If you're a young person with a disability – you may be eligible for support through things like:

• PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
• Universal Credit
• ESA (Employment Support Allowance)

If you are a student you may also be able to get

• Further Education Bursaries
• Free Meals, whilst you are studying 

These payments can help with living costs, buying books for college, or additional support related to your disability.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is money from the government to help people who have a disability. It's there to give you some extra money to cover the costs that come up because of your health or disability.

There is an Easy Read Guide about PIP that you can read here. 

• Who Can Get It: If you're between 16 and 64 and have a disability that makes daily life tricky, PIP may be for you.
• How It Helps: PIP comes in two parts – one for everyday living needs and one for getting around. The more help you need, the more support you could get.
• How to Apply: You need to ring the department for work and pensions on 0800 917 2222 and ask for a form to be sent out to you. There is an Easy-Read guide on how to apply for PIP here.
• Giving some evidence: When you apply, it helps to share some information, like medical reports or diagnosis letters, to support what you're saying. The form will ask how your condition affects you and makes things a bit more challenging. If you need help filling out the form you can speak to DIAL on 01226 240273, they can make an appointment with you to do it together, or give you a self-help pack to guide you through the application. 
• Having a review: PIP isn't always forever. Now and then, they might check in to make sure you're still getting the right type of support.            

There are over 500 different conditions you can look to claim PIP for and the percentage of claims successful for each condition is listed here.

There are other benefits that you may be able to claim and in some circumstances from the age of 16. 

Further Education Bursary Fund

Lots of Colleges and Training providers have money to give to students as bursaries. If you're under 19 (or under 25 with an EHCP), you might qualify.

These bursaries can help you with things like travel, equipment, and books for your education. See if you're eligible by checking the details here.

Free School Meals (even in college!)

Some further education settings and training providers offer free school meals to eligible students. To qualify, either you or your parents must be claiming qualifying benefits. You can check if you are eligible here

Speak to the setting you will be going to about Free School Meals.

Help to get to college

If you have special educational needs, disability or mobility needs that stop you from walking to your College or 6th Form, you may be able to get help, getting there. BMBC calls this travel assistance. 

It might help towards the cost of getting there, or help becoming more confident to make your journey, it all depends on your needs.

Travel assistance may be provided in a few ways including:

• Independent travel training

• Personal travel budget

• Mileage reimbursement

• Council taxi or minibus or taxi

Whilst not everybody is automatically entitled to travel assistance from home to college when you are over 16, BMBC currently provides travel assistance if you have SEND.

You can find more information, including the most recent policy document here.

If you think you could be eligible for travel assistance apply here.

There are travel passes, discount cards, disabled person’s travel pass that you might also be able to apply for.