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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
12 min read
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
December 29, 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
Suggested Reading
How to Apply for a Disabled Bus Pass and Enjoy the Benefits of Accessible Travel
How to Apply for Disabled Persons Railcard
Toll Concessions for Disabled Drivers: How to Save on River Crossings, Bridges, and Tunnels
Accessible Travel in the UK: Your Guide to Booking Trains, Buses, Taxis and More
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
To apply, visit the National Express website
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.
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
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.
Suggested Reading
How to Apply for a Disabled Blue Badge – Everything you Need to Know
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.
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.
Suggested Reading
Motability in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide
Motability Scheme Eligibility: How to Qualify for a Disability Car in the UK
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.
Suggested Reading
How to Apply for Access to Work – Disabled People in Work
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.
Suggested Reading
The CEA Card: Benefits for Disabled People & Free Cinema Tickets
Who Qualifies for an Access Card and How to Apply if You are Disabled
How to Get 25% Off Disneyland Paris Tickets as a Disabled Guest
Purpl Tip – Use your CEA or Nimbus Access Card to join Purpl and gain access to discounts and exclusive offers for people with disabilities.
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:
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.
Suggested Reading
Do Disabled People Get Free Prescriptions in the UK? How to Save on Medication Costs
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:
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.
Suggested Reading
How to Claim VAT Exemptions for Disabled People in the UK
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.
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.
Suggested Reading
Making Home Life Easier: A Guide to Disabled Facilities Grants in the UK
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
To get the most out of your PIP entitlement, here are a few tips:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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The True Cost of Living with a Disability in the UK: How Far PIP 2025 Rates Really Go
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Purpl Benefits & PIP Points Calculator
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