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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
16 min read
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
December 8, 2024
Hi, I’m Georgina, founder of Purpl Disabled Discounts. As someone passionate about helping the disabled community, I understand how daunting it can be to navigate the financial challenges that come with living with a disability. From managing day-to-day costs to finding support and resources, there’s so much to juggle. There is plenty of free stuff for disabled adults in the UK. It’s just knowing where to look. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to help you save money and access the support you deserve.
We already know that living with a disability can come with extra costs, but there are countless opportunities to save money, access free resources, and benefit from the UK’s support systems. From PIP discounts to Blue Badge discounts and disability discount cards, here’s everything you need to know to maximise your savings and find the best discounts for disabled adults.
Saving money isn’t always about big changes, sometimes it’s the little things that add up. Here are some everyday strategies that can help reduce costs.
Energy Bills: If you rely on extra heating or power due to your condition, speak to your energy supplier. Some offer disability-friendly tariffs or free energy-saving devices for disabled people. Or you could switch to someone like Utility Warehouse (UW) and combine your utilities into one monthly payment to reduce costs. Plus the UW cash-back card means every time you use it to pay for items you are reducing your monthly bill.
You can sign up for UW through Purpl, please note that whilst utility companies can’t give discounts by going through Purpl you will help us support our growth and ability to give back to the disabled community.
Public Transport: You can apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard to save up to one-third on train fares. Local councils often provide free or reduced bus passes known as a disabled person’s bus pass. Each council has its own rules around this, so you will need to find out for your own county. Please visit the Government website which will provide you with more information and the ability to find your local council through their search function.
Shop Savvy: Sign up to Purpl disabled discounts and keep an eye out for your favourite retailers offering discounts as well as discovering a range of discounts for disabled people on mobility aids, adaptive tech, or even clothing tailored for disabled individuals. Our website is still new and we are working hard to get you more and more exclusive discounts. If you haven’t signed up yet Purpl it is a great way to get discounts you can use your disability benefit letters, blue badge or one of our other accepted documents to gain access to our discounts and offers.
You can use the Utility Warehouse cash-back card with our Purpl disabled discount offers and save even more money
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
Charities: Organisations like Scope and Disability Rights UK are fantastic for offering advice, funding for essential equipment, and support with accessing benefits. Purpl is working hard to ensure we have the right content to direct you to these types of organisations so you can get extra support.
When you spend money through using Purpl discount codes you are actually helping us to give back to Disabled Charities in the UK.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
Even though it’s early days for Purpl, we are delighted that our first charity partner is Spinal Injuries Association, you can read our article about how we are working with them to help our disabled community.
Local Services: Many councils offer subsidised leisure activities, like gym memberships or swimming sessions, which can boost both health and happiness. Just do a search for your local area or call your local Citizens Advice centre and they can direct you to local places that will offer you either a disabled discount or a free carer’s place.
Knowing your rights as a consumer can save you money and prevent unfair treatment. The Equality Act 2010 protects disabled individuals in the UK, ensuring equal access to services, goods, and facilities. We know that accessibility isn’t always as it should be and it can be extremely frustrating, so make sure you give feedback so that businesses can learn and adapt.
If you experience discrimination, document the incident and contact organisations like the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) for advice. Knowing you have the law on your side can be empowering!
Getting on top of your finances is key to building independence and security. Here are some ideas on how to make the most of your money:
You can work and claim PIP disability benefit. Personal Independence Payment has nothing to do with income, it is money to help reduce the financial burden of living with a disability.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
There are financial advisors who specialise in working with disabled people. They can help you plan for the future, whether it’s saving for a big purchase or understanding your benefit entitlements. Organisations like Turn2us offer free resources to help you get started. You can also use our Purpl Benefits Calculator powered by Turn2us to see what you might be entitled to.
At Purpl, we’re all about helping you find and make the most of discounts. I really want to help my community save money and make a real difference to their day to day life, these discounts for disabled people aren’t always easy to find. Below are some great discounts that you can access, we didn’t ask to be disabled, so let’s face it there has to be some perks to make things a little easier for us.
Check out our Days Out discounts for disabled people and save money on entertainment for you and your family
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
Websites like ours at Purpl are great for keeping track of new discounts. Bookmark us, and we’ll keep you updated! Ensure you receive our disabled discount weekly roundup email or join our private members group on Facebook to be the first to hear our latest offers.
Benefits can make a massive difference, helping cover the extra costs of living with a disability. Many people don’t realise they can still apply for some benefits even if they are working. It is really important to me that I help our community in every way I can, so bringing you relevant information that can help make life easier for you is part of the benefit of joining Purpl.
You can work up to 16 hours a week and earn up to £183.50 per week whilst claiming ESA.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
You can also do as many hours of voluntary work as you like.
Did you know you could save on VAT for certain items and services? This is one of the simplest ways to cut costs on big purchases. Even Amazon states you can claim back VAT on medical items you have purchased, however, I have tried and failed so please let me know if you find success with them.
There is a whole list of products that fit the criteria for VAT exemption so it is worth reviewing the Government website to check whether the item you wish to purchase meets the criteria.
It is typically for products that will help you with your disability and most companies that sell these products will ask you to complete a VAT exemption form. This means they will exclude the VAT cost from your invoice.
Examples of VAT Exemption Products:
When purchasing, let the seller know you’re eligible for VAT exemption and complete their form. It’s quick and could save you a significant amount! Not every company will ask so best for you to know your rights so you don’t miss out. You can’t claim after the purchase so remember to ask.
Managing your money should never feel inaccessible and these days most of us bank online however that doesn’t work for some disabled people who struggle with the internet or accessibility online. Many UK banks offer tailored services to support disabled customers.
If you ever feel your bank isn’t meeting your needs, don’t hesitate to speak up or switch to one that will. Nationwide consistently ranks high for accessibility and customer support so worth checking out other options if your bank isn’t right for you.
Making your home more accessible doesn’t have to break the bank, thanks to Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs). The Grant is available to disabled people who meet the criteria. You will need to provide evidence of your disability. Please note that it is means tested unless you are receiving Universal Credit. You can read our expanded Disabled Facilities Grant article for more information.
Effectively they are a grant to help fund adaptations like installing stairlifts, widening doorways, or creating a wet room. These changes can significantly improve your quality of life.
You could get a grant of up to £30,000 to modify or adapt your home to suit your accessibility requirements.
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
You can also use our Purpl Grant Finder powered by Turn2us. You could be missing out on money which you never have to pay back. Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical support to people facing financial insecurity.
I know how difficult it can be to manage your body temperature when living with a disability and for me, my body doesn’t cope well if it’s too cold but also it doesn’t work well if it gets overheated. Therefore layering up doesn’t always work. Energy prices have been soaring for years now and it can be really worrying for many disabled people.
The Warm Homed Discount is a government scheme that offers a one-off discount on electricity bills for low-income or vulnerable households. Please note that eligibility varies between England, Scotland and Wales.
Receiving PIP or DLA does not automatically qualify you to receive the Warm Home Discount Scheme. If your household has a low income but has high energy costs you may qualify. It is determined by specific means-tested benefits and property characteristics. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit you will automatically qualify.
Most households who are eligible will receive the discount automatically. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) identifies individuals who are eligible and notifies them between October and January. The discount is then applied by the end of March.
However, if you live in Scotland and do not receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you need to apply directly to your energy supplier. Applications are typically accepted on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited availability so if you are eligible apply as soon as you can.
When you live with mobility disabilities you often have no choice but to drive to places, like me, I am sure many of us would swap our disability to not get these benefits and be able to walk in a heartbeat. However, the reality is that we do have these challenges and the government put schemes like this in place to help make life a little easier for us. You can also read our expanded article on Car Tax Exemptions for disabled people in the UK.
Disabled people who receive the following disability benefits will be able to get full exemption from paying car tax:
You may also be eligible for a 50% car tax reduction if you received the standard rate of mobility component.
If you are buying a new car:
For used cars:
If your child is disabled you can apply for a vehicle tax exemption or reduction as long as the vehicle is used for the child’s personal needs. The vehicle must be registered either in the child’s name or in the name of the parent or guardian who drives it on their behalf.
Transport independence is so important, and the Motability Scheme makes it more affordable for disabled people to lease vehicles. There are a wide range of vehicles, I didn’t apply for ages as I thought it was all disabled adapted vehicles but that’s not true. You can choose from a wide range of cars including dealers like Honda and BMW.
If you receive enhanced rate of mobility with PIP or the higher rate of mobility with DLA then you can trade the mobility element of your disability benefit payment for a car which also covers everything except the cost of fuel. Please note: you will lose the mobility component of your PIP payment or your DLA payment. You will also have to pay an upfront payment for some cars on the scheme.
The all-inclusive package is designed to simplify mobility for disabled people in the UK, allowing them to enjoy the freedom of driving without the associated stresses of vehicle ownership.
In 2022 the Motability Scheme introduced a New Vehicle Payment (NVP) for Motability customers. This was a one-off £750 payment to help customers the rising costs of new vehicles. It was meant to end on 31st December 2024, however, the deadline has been extended to 3rd January 2025. The scheme is ending because the conditions impacting the high costs have reduced and stabilised. So, it’s your final chance to benefit from the extra £750 which could cover the upfront payment for your Motability vehicle.
Save £750 on the cost of a new vehicle with Motability if you order by 3rd January 2025
Georgina’s Top Disability Savings Tips
Free Mobility Aids: you may be able to get some mobility aids for free through the NHS, they can provide walking sticks, zimmer frames and wheelchairs. You may need to pay a deposit. If you cannot afford to purchase your own it is recommended that you speak to your GP, physiotherapist or hospital staff who will be able to help you.
The Red Cross also offers a low cost rental scheme for wheelchairs, so it might also be worth speaking to them if you can’t get help through the NHS.
Free Support Services: disabled people can get free support, advice, counselling and access to mental health resources through a number of helplines such as Mind or Scope UK. You are not alone, if you are struggling please take advantage of these free services.
Free Equipment or Technology: some disabled people will be able to get access to for free adaptive technology or devices. You may be able to apply for a grant that can provide things like hearing aids, screen readers and other assistive devices. There are many grants available via charities, our guide gives you advice on how to find a charity grant to meet your needs.
You can also get free tech support if you are disabled through AbilityNet a UK charity who is focused on making the digital world accessible to all. They have over 450 volunteers who can come to your home or help you over the phone.
Free Travel Options: there are lots of free and reduced cost travel options for disabled people in the UK, depending on your requirements you can apply for a disabled persons bus pass through your local council. In some areas you may be able to get a free taxi card if using public transport is particularly difficult for you. We have a number of Purpl trusted guides to help you understand what’s available and how to apply.
Free Prescription Programs: the NHS offers free prescriptions for some disabled people dependent on their disability. Your GP will be able to help you understand if you are eligible. Some groups are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions whilst others can apply for a Medical Exemption certificate that entitle them to free NHS prescriptions. Disabilities included are:
I started Purpl because I know how overwhelming it can feel to stretch a budget while navigating the extra costs of living with a disability. My goal is to make saving simpler by connecting you with discounts, resources, and practical advice tailored to help you and your family.
There’s so much out there to help you, from benefits and grants to discounts and exemptions. Take the time to explore your options, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Follow me on Tiktok where I post regular money saving tips for disabled people.
Yes, as long as they receive DLA with the higher rate of mobility. The nominated parent must be the owner of the vehicle and the vehicle must be used to drive the child to and from places.
Yes, Personal Independence Payments have nothing to do with whether you work and the process doesn’t involve means testing.
If your grant is less than £5,000 there is normally no repayment required. For grants over £5000 your council may impose a condition that if you sell or transfer ownership of the property within 10 years then you may have to pay back the grant. There is a cap so you won’t have to pay back more than £10,000.
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