Frequently Asked Questions

The CEA Card scheme was set up to introduce a voluntary and consistent approach to the provision of concessionary tickets for those accompanying people with disabilities to the cinema.

You can find your local participating cinemas on the CEA Card website here.

The scheme allows a disabled person holding a CEA Card to obtain one free ticket for a person accompanying them to a participating cinema.

There are two ways to obtain an application form.

 

Either print one from the CEA Card website here or collect one from a local participating cinema  - you can find which they are here.

The time it takes for your card to arrive will depend on the following three things: the time taken for the application to arrive by post; the volume of applications being processed at the time; and the time taken for the card to arrive back by post.

 

In general, this should take around three weeks.

 

If you do not receive your card after four weeks please contact the Card Network Team who will investigate it for you.

The card is issued to the person who requires assistance to enjoy the cinema. In this way, there is no restriction on the accompanying person, whether parent, family member, friend, care worker and so on.

The card is valid for one year from the date it is issued.

While every effort has been made to keep the processing fee as low as possible,  it is necessary to charge £5.50 to cover the administrative costs of the scheme.

A cardholder can have more than one card, but please note the processing fee will apply to each application.

You need to send one clear photograph. Please do not send them with the word PROOF stamped across the face.

We ask that the name and address of the applicant is written on the back of the photograph so that, if it becomes separated from the application, it can be matched back together easily and quickly.

The following proof is needed:

 

1. For Disability Living Allowance: photocopies of letters, statements, or benefit books (first two pages) confirming receipt of the allowance for the person named on the application.

 

2. For registered as a blind person: photocopy of certification.

No, please send photocopies only.

Once entitlement to the scheme has been verified, the qualifying documents will be destroyed and securely disposed of. No file copies of documents will be held.

Yes. It is notched along one of the short edges to aid recognition by blind or partially sighted cardholders and a reflective CEA stamped logo.

If you want to continue using the service you will need to reapply with a completely new application, a few weeks before your existing card expires.

Once you receive your new card you may dispose of the old one by cutting it into pieces and throwing it away. You do NOT need to return it to The Card Network.

Application forms may be collected from cinemas, or downloaded from the CEA Card website here.

The Card Network does not issue replacement cards for reasons of cost and to avoid fraud. If you lose your card, you will need to apply for a new one using the application form.