Help with travelling costs

You may be able to get financial help with your travel costs if you are visiting a family member who is in prison.

Do you qualify?

If you are the prisoner's close relative or partner, or the only adult visitor and you receive one of the following you may qualify for assistance from the Northern Ireland Prison Service's Assisted Prison Visits Scheme:

• Income Support
• Job Seeker's Allowance (Income Based)
• Pension Credit, including the savings reward element
• hold a Health Certificate HC2 (full exemption from paying health costs) or, HC3 (partial exemption from paying health costs)

You may also qualify if your gross household income does not exceed £17,474 and you are in receipt of any of the following:

• Child Tax Credit with Working Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit with a disability allowance
• Child Tax Credit only
• Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related)

Financial assistance may also be given to someone who acts as an escort to a close relative or partner who is under 18 or over 75 years old, disabled, too ill to travel alone, or unable to use public transport due to a medical condition. Where appropriate, medical evidence will be required.

How do you apply?

You can get an information leaflet on how to apply from:

• the prisons, including the Visitors' Centres
• Social Security / Jobs and Benefits Offices (contacts section)
• the Assisted Prison Visits Unit by telephoning 028 9052 4843 during office hours

More useful links

• Northern Ireland Prison Service (contacts section)