With the cost of living rising every day, any small discounts can be a huge help. For NHS staff, emergency workers, carers and even the armed forces, the Blue Light Card offers just that.
Many stores had similar offers during the height of the pandemic, recognising the pressure emergency service workers were under. Now, companies that sign up for the Blue Light Card scheme offer these all year round.
Discounts can vary on everything from meals out to the weekly supermarket shop and they can really add up to some significant savings. Here’s everything you need to know about the card, whether you’re eligible and how to apply.
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What is the Blue Light Card?
The Blue Light Card is a card, available in a physical plastic form as well as digitally via an app, that entitles the holder to special discounts. It is exclusively available to members of certain professions and companies.
Who is eligible for the Blue Light Card?
There are many different companies and professions that can apply for a Blue Light Card, some depend on the department while others are the whole company. They include:
NHS
Police Service
Ambulance Service
Fire Service
HM Prison Service/HMPPS
NHS Dental Practice
HM Armed Forces
MoD Civil Servant
MoD Fire Service
MoD Police
Highway Traffic Officers
Home Office - Border Force
Home Office - Immigration Enforcement
Home Office - UK Visas and Immigration
Social Care - Care Company Workforce - Company must be on either the CQC, RQIA, Care Inspectorate Scotland or Care Inspectorate Wales to be eligible.
Social Care - Social Worker
Social Care - Care Home
Social Care - Residential Care
Social Care - Council (Working in Care Sector)
Social Care - Foster Carer
Pharmacy Workers
Some volunteers are also entitled to apply for the card if their specific charity is registered with the scheme. They are specific first aid and rescue services:
HM Coastguard
RNLI
Search and Rescue
4x4 Response
Blood Bikes
St Andrews Ambulance
St John Ambulance
Retired service workers from the following areas are also entitled to apply:
Armed Forces Veterans
Retired Police Officers
Retired Firefighters
Retired NHS
How can I apply for a Blue Light Card?
You can apply for the card online at the Blue Light Card website. Registration costs £4.99 and you must be able to provide proof of employment with a qualifying company.
Acceptable ID includes a staff ID card dated within the last three months, a payslip or in some cases a copy of your contract. If you are unsure as to what ID you need to provide, the Blue Light Card website will have a list of all acceptable documents required for your specific company or department.
What kind of discounts are available?
Top deals at the moment include money off stores like New Look and JD Sports, cinema tickets and passes and even discounts on purchases at handy stores like Halfords.
What are Blue Light Tickets?
Blue Light Tickets were first introduced by Blue Light Card in 2020 as a way of saying thank you to frontline workers for their tireless dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic. They have been brought back each year following the scheme’s success.
The tickets are for all kinds of events such as sporting events, food and drink festivals and concerts. The scheme also works in partnership with Merlin attractions to close the gates of some of their biggest destinations to the public and give Blue Light Card holders exclusive access.
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