PIP Freebies and Discounts 2026 | Purpl Disabled Discounts

Living with a disability or long-term health condition often comes with unavoidable extra costs. However, if you receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP), you may be entitled to far more support than just a monthly payment.

In this Purpl guide, we explain the freebies, discounts, exemptions, and additional benefits available to disabled people in the UK who receive PIP in 2026. Importantly, many of these entitlements are underclaimed simply because people are not told they exist.

As a result, understanding how PIP connects to transport, healthcare, home adaptations, travel, and everyday savings can make a real difference to your financial wellbeing and independence.

At a Glance

PIP is not means tested and can be claimed while working
Receiving PIP can unlock travel discounts, tax reductions, and free services
Eligibility is based on impact, not diagnosis
PIP can be used to access Purpl Discounts
Different systems apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland

What Is PIP?
What Can You Get for Free with PIP in 2026?
PIP and Discounted Travel
PIP and Car Tax Reduction or Exemption
PIP and the Blue Badge Scheme
PIP and the Motability Scheme
PIP and Access to Work
PIP and Free Entry to Attractions
PIP and Free Prescriptions
PIP and VAT Exemptions
PIP and Medical Equipment
PIP and Disability Facilities Grants
PIP and Toll Crossing Exemptions
PIP and Congestion and ULEZ Exemptions
The Disability Price Tag and Why Claiming PIP Matters
PIP and Purpl Discounts
More Tips for PIP Savings
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is PIP?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK government benefit that supports people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Rather than replacing income, PIP helps cover the extra daily living and mobility costs that arise because of disability.

Crucially, PIP focuses on functional impact, not diagnosis. In other words, how your condition affects daily activities such as moving around, communicating, managing treatment, or staying safe matters more than the medical label itself.

Purpl Resources
Purpl Guide to Applying for PIP – a step by step guide to the PIP process.
Benefits Calculator – check what support you may be entitled to.

What Can You Get for Free with PIP in 2026?

Once awarded PIP, many people become eligible for additional support automatically. As a result, PIP often acts as a gateway benefit, unlocking other schemes, concessions, and exemptions across the UK.

You should never feel guilty about claiming this support. These benefits exist because disability creates extra costs, not because someone has failed or needs to justify themselves.

Below, we break down the most valuable PIP-linked benefits available in 2026.

PIP and Discounted Travel

Because travelling can be physically, mentally, and financially challenging, PIP often unlocks free or reduced-cost transport to help disabled people stay independent and connected.

Your PIP award may entitle you to several different concessions depending on your circumstances.

1. Disabled Persons Bus Pass

Depending on your local council, you may be eligible for a free disabled bus pass if you receive the mobility component of PIP. In some areas, you may also qualify for a companion pass if you need assistance while travelling. Criteria vary, so it’s always best to check locally

England – how to apply for a disabled bus pass for England
Wales – how to apply for a disabled bus pass for Wales
Scotland – how to apply for a disabled bus pass in Scotland
Northern Ireland – how to apply for a disabled bus pass in Northern Ireland

2. Disabled Persons Railcard

If you receive PIP payments then you can apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard, which will give you a discount of up to 1/3 off train fares for both yourself and a companion. The disabled persons railcard also comes with additional benefits so if you travel by train frequently it’s worth taking a look at what else you can get.

3. London Freedom Pass

If you are disabled and are a resident in London you may qualify for a Freedom Pass, which allows free travel across all Transport for London (TfL) services, helping you get around without additional costs. To find out more about who is eligible or to apply for a disabled persons Freedom Pass please visit the Transport for London website.

4. Reduced Ferry Costs

Some ferry companies will give a reduction to disabled people who hold a blue badge or disabled bus and railcards. You will need to check the individual ferry operators website to see what they offer to disabled people and what their criteria is for taking advantage of their PIP benefit.

5. Reduced Coach Travel Costs

National Express have a Disabled Coachcard that gives you 1/3 off the price of coach tickets. The Disabled Coachcard is £15, plus £3 postage and packaging. When you book a ticket make sure you check the Coachcard box and don’t forget to carry your Coachcard with you whenever you travel, along with your ticket. It is worth noting that there are no reductions for carers, they would have to pay for a full price ticket.

Save 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible fares, even at peak times.
Enjoy £15 mid-week day returns on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

To apply, visit the National Express website

6. Subsidised Taxi Fares

Your local authority may offer help with taxi costs if you have a severe disability. However, the type of support varies depending on where you live, so it’s worth checking directly.

For example, in London this is called the TaxiCard — a subsidised service using Black Cabs and Private Hire Vehicles for people who can’t easily use public transport due to long-term mobility issues or severe visual impairments.

TaxiCard applications differ by borough, but you can visit the London Councils website for more information to find out more.

PIP and Car Tax Exemption

If you get the enhanced rate of PIP mobility, you may be fully exempt from vehicle tax. If you receive the standard rate, you could get 50% off — helping make car ownership more affordable.

Typically you claim for this when you apply for your vehicle tax.

Suggested Reading
Car Tax Exemption and Reduction for Disabled People

PIP and Blue Badge Scheme

Receiving PIP may allow you to apply for a Blue Badge, which provides access to accessible parking spaces and, in many areas, free parking. Enhanced mobility awards usually grant automatic eligibility, while standard awards may require additional assessment.

Purpl Tip – Use your Blue Badge to join Purpl and gain access to our disabled discounts, just ensure you upload the photo side of your blue badge.

PIP and Motability Scheme

If you receive enhanced mobility PIP and have at least 12 months remaining on your award, you may be eligible to join the Motability Scheme.

Through this scheme, you can exchange part or all of your mobility payment for a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter, or powered wheelchair. Insurance, servicing, tax, and repairs are included, helping to reduce transport-related costs.

If you have a disabled child you may also be eligible to join the Motability scheme to help you get them out and about.

PIP and Access to Work Scheme

Access to Work is a government scheme that provides practical and financial support for disabled people facing barriers at work. This may include funding for specialist equipment, workplace adaptations, travel support, or support workers.

To qualify for the scheme, you’ll need to meet certain criteria.

PIP and Free Entry to Attractions

Many attractions offer discounts or free companion tickets for disabled visitors. These include cinemas through the CEA Card, heritage sites such as the National Trust and English Heritage, and major theme parks via Merlin Entertainments access schemes.

You do not need to purchase a disability card to get a free carer place, mainly venues except PIP/DLA letters and Blue Badges. Even those that only accept the Nimbus Access Card often have a free digital option on their website.

National Trust / English Heritage – you can apply for an Essential Companion card to gain free entry for up to two carers.
CADW – in Wales the CDAW disabled persons card provides free carer places for access to historic buildings and gardens.
Disneyland Paris – not only do they offer free carer places but you can also get 25% off Disneyland Paris with your disability documents e.g. Blue Badge, PIP/DLA Award etc.

Purpl Tip – Use your CEA or Nimbus Access Card to join Purpl and gain access to discounts and exclusive offers for people with disabilities.

PIP and Free Prescriptions

Healthcare costs can add up quickly if you have a long-term health condition or a disability. If you receive PIP disability payments you can also be eligible to save on these extra costs depending on your disability type.

Disabled people are entitled to free NHS prescriptions, if they have one of the following specified health conditions:

You have a long-term physical disability needing assistance to leave home.
You have a permanent fistula requiring ongoing surgical dressing or an appliance.
You have diabetes (not diet-treated), hypoparathyroidism, myxoedema, hypopituitarism, Addison’s disease, or myasthenia gravis needing essential therapy.
You have epilepsy requiring ongoing anti-convulsive treatment.

Additional support may be available based on your household income and other circumstances. You can complete the questionnaire on the government website to determine what extra support you are eligible for.

PIP and VAT Exemption for Disabled People

Disabled people can benefit from VAT relief on certain disability-related goods and services, such as mobility aids, medical equipment, and home adaptations.

VAT exemptions apply to eligible products that assist with your disability, for example:

Mobility Aids: wheelchairs, scooters
Home Adaptations: stairlifts, ramps
Medical Equipment: adjustable beds, hoists, incontinence products

Please note: You cannot claim back after the purchase. So, it is important to check that the supplier has a VAT declaration form. You will need to complete the form before purchasing and then the supplier will remove the VAT from your order.

PIP and Medical Equipment

Many disabled people can access free equipment through their local authority following a social care needs assessment. This may include bathroom aids, wheelchairs, or mobility equipment. Some people choose to purchase equipment privately depending on urgency or preference

To get support you will need to complete a social care needs assessment.

PIP and Disability Facilities Grants

Depending on your income you may be eligible for a Disability Facilities Grant (DFG) alongside your PIP benefit payment. This grant comes from your local council to help fund essential home adaptations for better mobility and safety.

PIP and Toll Crossing Exemptions

Did you know disabled people may get discounted or free tolls at some UK river crossings, bridges, and tunnels? Many operators offer exemptions to make travel easier. However, you usually need to apply in advance.

Suggested Reading
Toll Crossing Savings for Disabled People.

PIP and Congestion and ULEZ Exemptions

If you have a Blue Badge and are travelling around London – you are exempt from Congestion charges. You will need to apply for the 100% discount on the Congestion Charge.

Some drivers and vehicles qualify for at least a temporary 100% discount from the Ultra Low Emission Zone charge (ULEZ). Others are entirely exempt. Many of these are only available during the ‘Grace Period’ which ends on 24th October 2027.

You may be exempt during the grace period if:

Your vehicle is registered in the ‘disabled tax class’ with the DVLA, meaning you get free or reduced car tax.
You have a WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle) that doesn’t meet ULEZ standards but has been professionally converted for disabled access. To qualify, it must have one of the approved adaptations.
You receive certain disability benefits or meet the medical criteria for exemption. Check the full eligibility list on the Transport of London website.

The Disability Price Tag and Why Claiming PIP Matters

Living with a disability or long-term health condition comes with real, unavoidable extra costs. According to Scope’s latest Disability Price Tag research, disabled people in the UK face an average extra cost of £1,095 per month. These costs go far beyond healthcare and often include higher energy bills, transport, specialist equipment, mobility aids, therapies, clothing, food, and everyday essentials.

As a result, many disabled people spend significantly more just to maintain the same standard of living as non-disabled people. Importantly, these costs exist whether someone works, studies, cares for others, or lives independently.

This is exactly why people should never feel guilty about claiming PIP. Personal Independence Payment exists to help cover these additional costs, not to judge worth, effort, or contribution. Claiming PIP does not take support away from anyone else. Instead, it recognises that disability-related expenses are real, ongoing, and often invisible.

Purpl Tip: If you are budgeting carefully, cutting back, or going without because of disability-related costs, that is evidence of impact, not a reason to doubt your entitlement.

PIP and Purpl Discounts

If you’re looking to get the most out of your PIP benefits, Purpl is here to help. By joining Purpl, you can unlock discounts designed to support the disabled community, which in turn can make life more affordable.

“I launched Purpl because I know firsthand how expensive it is when you live with a disability. I want to help my community offset those costs through discounts and savings. Purpl is more than just discounts we give back to disabled charities and support disabled entrepreneurs. My long term mission is to launch a foundation one day, so we can give grants to those who need extra financial support.”

Purpl is a membership programme, we charge a small annual fee to ensure that we can cover our running costs and build a business that can truly make a difference. Everything we do is about the community and always will be.

How to Join Purpl

Anyone with a disability or long-term health condition recognised under the Equality Act 2010 can join Purpl. That includes both visible and hidden disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, and long-term illnesses that affect daily life.

OR you can join as a parent or carer on behalf of someone with a disability (as long as you have their permission). It is worth checking out our How to Join page which will take you through the process.

Purpl is here to help you save money to reduce the cost of living with a disability.

Fashion and Beauty: Purpl offers discounts and exclusive offers for clothing, shoes and accessories from your favourite brands. Offers include Debenhams, Pavers, Secret Sales and many more.
Utility Savings: Purpl has discounts and exclusive savings with Broadband Genie, Octopus Energy and more. Explore our utility disabled discounts today.
Food Offers: Purpl members can save money on groceries, including an exclusive 10% off Morrisons as well as discounts with Ocado, Iceland, and more. Explore our Food and Drink section for more disability discounts.
Accessibility Aids: Purpl offers an exclusive 20% off discount for first time orders with Eden Mobility as well as other discounts with brands like Cool Crutches and Mobility in Motion.

Purpl helps disabled people who receive PIP benefit payments find more ways to save. We are making everyday expenses more manageable and accessible with our disabled discounts.

More Tips for PIP Savings

To get the most out of your PIP entitlement, here are a few tips:

Research Your Local Council’s Benefits. Many local councils offer reduced entry fees for local events and free access to leisure centres for PIP recipients.
Always Ask About Concessions. Many attractions and stores offer discounts for PIP recipients, however they don’t always advertised this, so it’s always worth asking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I work and still claim PIP?

Yes. PIP is not means tested, so you can work full time, part time, or be self-employed and still claim. Eligibility depends on how your condition affects your daily living and mobility, not your income or employment status.

Should I feel guilty about claiming PIP?

No. Claiming PIP is not taking money away from anyone else. According to Scope, disabled people face an average extra cost of £1,095 per month. PIP exists to help cover these real, unavoidable costs, many of which are invisible to others.

What extra benefits does PIP unlock?

Receiving PIP can unlock discounted or free travel, car tax reductions, Blue Badge parking, Motability vehicles, Access to Work support, free prescriptions for some conditions, VAT exemptions, and local council concessions. It can also be used to access Purpl Discounts.

Do I automatically get free travel if I receive PIP?

Not automatically. However, receiving the mobility component of PIP often makes you eligible to apply for a disabled bus pass, a Disabled Person’s Railcard, or a Freedom Pass in London. Each scheme has its own criteria and application process.

Can PIP help with the cost of running a car?

Yes. If you receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component, you may qualify for 100% vehicle tax exemption. You may also be eligible for the Motability Scheme, Congestion Charge exemption, and ULEZ discounts or grace periods.

Does PIP cover the cost of disability equipment?

PIP itself is not paid for specific items. However, receiving PIP can help you access VAT exemptions, free equipment through social care assessments, or funding for adaptations through a Disability Facilities Grant.

Can I get free prescriptions if I receive PIP?

Not everyone who receives PIP gets free prescriptions automatically. However, some disabled people qualify based on specific long-term health conditions or physical disabilities. Additional help may also be available depending on income and circumstances.

What’s the difference between PIP and disability benefits in Scotland?

In Scotland, PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and Child Disability Payment. While the criteria are similar, the application process and administration are handled by Social Security Scotland rather than the DWP.

Can I use my PIP award to join Purpl?

Yes. A PIP award letter is one of the accepted documents for joining Purpl. Once verified, members can access discounts and exclusive offers on food, fashion, technology, home essentials, and more.

What if my condition fluctuates or is invisible?

You can still qualify for PIP. Many conditions fluctuate or are not visible, including mental health conditions, neurological conditions, chronic pain, fatigue-related illnesses, and neurodivergent conditions. What matters is the impact on your daily life over time, not how you appear on a good day.

About the Author

Georgina, founder of Purpl, smiling in a pink patterned dress against a pastel background. Beside her, a message highlights her commitment to helping disabled people save money through exclusive discounts while advocating for accessibility, financial support, and independence. | Purpl disabled discounts, accessibility savings UK.

Georgina is the founder of Purpl, a platform dedicated to helping disabled people save money through exclusive discounts. Living with both Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ADHD, she understands firsthand the financial challenges that often come with managing a disability. Because of this, her mission is to collaborate with brands to secure discounts that help ease the cost of essential products, services, and everyday expenses for the disabled community.

As an ambulatory wheelchair user, Georgina also knows how it feels to lose a sense of independence due to a disability. For that reason, she’s deeply passionate about using holistic therapies and diet to manage inflammation and stay as healthy as possible. Ultimately, her goal is to make Purpl a trusted, go-to resource for disabled people — one that provides not only discounts but also practical advice, emotional support, and genuine financial relief.

Beyond Purpl, Georgina has a long-term vision to launch a foundation that will offer grants and funding for disabled people who need additional financial support. Through this, she hopes to create lasting change, empowering others to live with dignity, confidence, and choice.

Follow @Purpldiscounts on social media for the latest disability discounts, financial advice, and accessibility resources.