Frequently Asked Questions
This section aims to answer common questions about the CEA Card. If you can't find the answer you are looking for, please contact us and we will try to help.
1. What does the CEA Card entitle me to?
2. Why has this scheme been set up?
3. Which cinemas accept the card?
4. Are there any conditions to my using the card?
5. Who is eligible for a card?
7. How long is the card valid for?
8. Why is there a £6.00 fee to pay?
9. How long will I have to wait for my card?
10. What eligibility documents are needed to support my application?
11. How do you validate my application?
12. Can I send original documents and have them returned to me?
13. What happens to the personal documents and data that are used to process the application for a card?
14. Whose name and photograph appears on the card?
15. How many copies of the photograph are needed for each application?
17. Who should I contact if I need help?
18. What should I do when my card is due to expire?
19. What should I do if my card is lost, stolen or damaged?
20. Can a cardholder have more than one card?
21. Who should I make the Cheque or Postal Order payable to?
22. What type of photo do you need?
23. Where should I send my payment?
24. How to apply on behalf of someone else
What does the CEA Card entitle me to?
The CEA Card entitles you to ONE free ticket for someone to accompany you to the cinema to provide the assistance you may need during your visit. To get the free ticket, you will need to purchase a full price ticket for yourself for the same performance of the same film in the same auditorium in a single transaction.
The free ticket is provided on the assumption that the person who accompanies you can provide you with appropriate assistance, this might include
- helping you move around the cinema including finding and taking a seat;
- helping you leave the cinema in the event of an emergency;
- accompanying and/or helping you use the cinema's toilets;
- helping you buy refreshments.
Why has this scheme been set up?
The scheme was introduced in 2004 and is intended to provide one way for cinemas can make what are termed ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled guests who might need assistance whilst visiting the cinema.
Which cinemas accept the card?
Approximately 90 per cent of cinemas accept the card. Search our list of Participating Cinemas. Even those cinemas who do not accept the Card will still need to make reasonable adjustments.
Are there any conditions to my using the card?
Terms and Conditions apply to use of the Card.
Who is eligible for a card?
Eligibility criteria may be updated from time to time. The cardholder should be in receipt of:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Adult / Child Disability Payment (ADP / CDP in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Or hold:
- Severely Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Registered Blind)
- Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Partially Sighted)
If you are unable to find this correspondence, or do not meet the above criteria but believe that as a result of your disability you still need someone to accompany you to the cinema, please contact us.
Please note we don't accept Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or being a Blue Badge holder as sole proof of eligibility.
Cardholders must be 5 years of age or older.
What is on the card?
The Card contains:
- a photograph of the Cardholder;
- the name of the Cardholder;
- the Card expiry date;
- a unique Card number which allows the Card to be validated, for example, when pre-booking tickets or at the box office;
- a location notch to aid use by blind or partially sighted Cardholders;
- a reflective holofoil CEA emblem.
- a braille label (on request).
How long is the card valid for?
The Card is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. The date is displayed on the Card.
Why is there a £6.00 fee to pay?
The £6.00 fee covers a number of costs in running the scheme, such as maintaining the website, processing applications and producing the Card.
How long will I have to wait for my card?
Providing that your form and supporting information have been completed correctly, it will take up to 5 working days after we receive the payment for your Card.
What eligibility documents are needed to support my application?
To demonstrate eligibility, you will need to provide one of the following:
- If you receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance (AA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult / Child Disability Payment (ADP / CDP in Scotland) or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) you will need to send or upload the awarding letter from DWP or statement confirming receipt of the allowance for the person requiring assistance.
- Alternatively, for Severely Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Registered Blind) or Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Partially Sighted) you will need to send or upload certification for the person requiring assistance.
Please note that award letters must be dated within the last 12 months.
How do you validate my application?
When we receive the application, we need to check:
- the form is fully completed;
- there is proof of eligibility;
- there is a usable photograph.
Once this has been checked and the payment confirmed we will process the Card application and post it to you.
Can I send original documents and have them returned to me?
If you are sending original documents and want them returned you must enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with your application. Any documents received without a return request and a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage will be securely shredded. Photocopies are accepted, although we reserve the right on occasion to request original documents.
What happens to the personal documents and data that are used to process the application for a card?
Once we have confirmed your entitlement to a Card the qualifying documents will be destroyed and securely disposed of. No file copies of documents will be held. Personal information, which is required to administer the scheme, is kept to allow us to let you know when your Card is about to expire. All information is kept secure and in compliance with the Data Protection Act – for more information please see the Privacy Policy.
Whose name and photograph appears on the card?
The Card is issued to the person who needs assistance to visit the cinema, and is printed with their name and photograph. This gives the flexibility for different people to accompany them, whether parent, family member, friend, care worker or someone else.
How many copies of the photograph are needed for each application?
For an application by post, we need one clear photograph. If you apply online the photograph can be uploaded. Please ensure that your photographs are recent and are a true likeness of the Cardholder. Clearly show your face and features – avoid any covering, unless worn for religious beliefs or medical reason.
Why do you ask applicants to print their name on the reverse of the photograph and also attach it to the form?
This is because if the photograph becomes separated from the application paperwork it can be matched back together easily and quickly.
Who should I contact if I need help?
Write to us at: CEA Card, PO Box 199, Deeside, CH5 9BW
Telephone: 01244 526 016
Textphone: 18001 01244 526 016
These phone numbers connect to our UK Call Centre. Calls charged at standard UK Landline rates.
Office Hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays.
Alternatively you can email us using the website contact form or at info@ceacard.co.uk.
What should I do when my card is due to expire?
If you want to continue using the service you will need to reapply to renew your card.
What should I do if my card is lost, stolen or damaged?
If your Card is lost, stolen or damaged then you will need to apply for a replacement, and again resend eligibility documents and payment.
Can a cardholder have more than one card?
In exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary for another person to hold a duplicate card. Even then, the Cardholder may only present and use one card at any time at the cinema. The £6.00 processing fee will apply to each card produced. Contact us for further details.
Who should I make the Cheque or Postal Order payable to?
Please make your Cheque or Postal Order payable to CEA Card.
What type of photo do you need?
We need a recent photo that is a true likeness of the cardholder.
It doesn't need to be an official passport photograph, as long as it shows your head and shoulders clearly and is of good quality.
If you're applying online, you could take a 'selfie' photo with your camera phone or tablet, and upload that. If you are doing so, please don't take the photo with a window behind you.
Try to avoid busy backgrounds.
Please do not take a photo of your previous CEA card, blue badge or from your passport as these will not be good enough quality for print.
Where should I send my payment?
If you have chosen to send your payment by post, please send your cheque or Postal Order for £6.00 made payable to CEA Card to: CEA Card, PO Box 199, Deeside, CH5 9BW.
Make sure you include your name and application reference with your payment and please don't send cash.
How to apply on behalf of someone else
You can apply on behalf of someone else if they are unable to do so. See more information for applying for a CEA card for a child.
You must have their authority to apply for a card on their behalf and you must have explicit consent from the cardholder to supply their proof of eligibility.
When applying online, please select 'I am completing on behalf of the person requiring assistance'. We will ask you for your details first, including your postcode (which we need for verification) and what your relationship is to the cardholder.
In the next step, you will enter the details of the person requiring the assistance (the cardholder).
Please make sure you upload or send proof of eligibility in the name of the cardholder, not in your own name.
How to apply for a CEA card for a child
If your child is between 5 and 16 years of age, you will need to apply for a CEA card on their behalf.
Although you are applying for them, they will be the cardholder as they are the person requiring the care. The card will be printed in their name.
You must hold parental responsibility to apply on their behalf – i.e. you will be their parent, nominated guardian or legally represent them as such.
When applying online, please select 'I am completing on behalf of the person requiring assistance'. We will ask you for your details first, including your postcode (which we need for verification) and what your relationship is to the child.
In the next step, you will enter the details of the child (the cardholder).
Please make sure you upload or send proof of eligibility in the name of the child, not in your own name. E.g. if the child receives Personal Independent Payment and you receive Carer's Allowance, it is the child's Personal Independent Payment document that we need to see.
How to cancel your card
If you decide you no longer wish to have a CEA Card, please contact us as soon as possible after completing your application at info@ceacard.co.uk or on 01244 526 016 and advise us that you wish to cancel.
We will refund your £6.00 application fee up to the point of printing the card. We are unable to refund the cost of the card after it has been produced as it is personalised. Please see our full Cancellation Policy for further details.