Does anyone have recent experience of applying for one? I’ve heard mixed messages: some people say that an MS dx does the trick (I have had one of those for a long time), others that you have to be in receipt of certain benefits (which I’m not) to qualify. I already have an Old Person’s railcard and am not even sure whether it’s worth applying for the Disabled Person’s one as well. Any recent experience stories would be helpful please. Thank you.
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Not renewed my (OAP) railcard since the one I renewed pre COVID and never used!
The advantage of the disabled card is that there are no restrictions on when it can be used (so the discount is available even on more expensive peak time travel) and the discount also applies to a companion travelling with you.
MS has been accepted as a qualifying condition but has not been reflected in the information online.
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/living-with-ms/home-and-travel/getting-around/accessible-transport
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Thank you so much!
Now you’ve reminded me, I do dimly recall seeing this on here before and should have used the search function before posting! But thank you for the very helpful reply. I do have an old person’s card valid for a couple of years, so I’ll have a think about whether it’s worth pursuing the disabled person’s one now or waiting until that expires. I had forgotten completely about the broader coverage of the disabled person’s one - that’s quite a big difference.
Rather late on this one, but for the record: I qualified. I think we have Dominic Shadbolt to thank for this: MS is covered by the Equality Act automatically, since with a relapsing condition, you can’t be expected to have to re-establish your condition with each relapse.
The online information is misleading and basically forces you to tick a box that may not apply to you…
However, you then get a free text box. I used this to make it clear that I did not in fact meet the criterion I had ticked (not wanting to lie!) but that there was no MS option. Then I explained about MS and how it affects travel. I uploaded a copy of my MS diagnosis letter. That worked.
Good luck!
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Slight digression but I have an “Access Card” - a local theatre needed me to have it to qualify for carer’s seating alongside a wheelchair space.
There are too many different schemes!
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So no need to be on any benefits? I’m not on any. And no need to be on any DMT’s either? I’m on no medication either. Never was offered anything. No long term medication that is. Have had RRMS for over 20 years. My senior Railcard will expire soon.
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I emailed the ms trust over the weekend regarding this. They’ve just replied. From the email I received a ms diagnosis is not a categorical certain that you will get a disabled railcard. Apparently some people have been fortunate in just having a letter stating they have ms. Some not. According to them, PIP is the usual persuader. Good luck to all who try to get a disabled railcard without any benefits or PIP. And well done all those successful applicants who do get one with just a letter.
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I got my disabled persons railcard a few months ago. As others have said there’s no MS on the list of categories when you apply, so choose another one then write why you qualify and include evidence of diagnosis, My application was declined at first but I then appealed (how to do this included in email turning down applciation), explained how my mobility and travel affected, and was accepted in a couple of hours. I probably could have done a better job explaining this in original application. I’m not in receipt of any benefits.
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That’s good to hear. Sometimes you just have to be persistent. Well done.
Thank you for this thread, it has been really helpful - I just applied for my railcard, it was denied and I was asked for additional information, replied again and explained that MS is eligible. But still denied.
Provided with the contact details for the review team, so I emailed them to appeal, also including screenshots to the MS Society webpage which states “the MS Society recently confirmed (in February 2026) with the Rail Delivery Group that proof of an MS diagnosis is enough to show you’re eligible for the railcard.” - so hopefully that works and the application is finally accepted, fingers crossed!
Gosh, the amount of hoops you have to go through for some things.
x
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They have just changed their computer system so a blue badge can be used and it worked for me. Another change is coming up in September which hopefully will save the appeal method still necessary at the moment.
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Also received a Disability Railcard. After explaining my situation to the Customer Support number after hitting the same issue of not being able to input MS via the auto-populated form - https://www.mssociety.org.uk/living-with-ms/home-and-travel/getting-around/accessible-transport - I was given the following email to send evidence of diagnosis: dprcreview@raildeliverygroup.com. I simply attached my diagnosis letter and this was approved the following day.
@laurenm, were you accepted in the end?
As crd mentioned above, does seem like there will be a change in Sept 2026 to make it easier for some other longer term conditions, so there might be a new way to apply very soon.
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thank you for this thread - I have always wanted to apply, but noticed I didn’t qualify under the current, and somewhat baffling, criteria. but as others have said, there are new rule changes on the way that will hopefully loosen things a little
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From what I know, MS has been on the list for a disabled railcard for a while! It wasn’t on the application form, but was accepted? See https://www.mssociety.org.uk/living-with-ms/home-and-travel/getting-around/accessible-transport
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I was accepted in the end, and have my railcard - I got in contact with the Rail Delivery Group Appeal Board too, and they provided me with a consent letter to upload as part of the application, which all worked fine.
Kind regards,
Lauren
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I’d be interested to hear recent experiences too, as the eligibility requirements can be a little confusing. Hopefully someone who has applied recently can clarify whether an MS diagnosis on its own is enough and whether there’s any advantage over the Senior Railcard.
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