Apply for Help With Prison Visits

Help With Prison Visits

If you are receiving benefits or are on a low income you may be eligible to claim the cost of travel to prison visits from Help With Prison Visits.

To be eligible for this scheme you must be:

  • A close relative of the person you wish to visit (wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister, grandparent, adoptive/step/half brother/sister, step-child or step-parent), or you are their sole visitor (the only person who is visiting them).

If you claim as a sole visitor Help With Prison Visits will confirm with the prison that the person has not been visited by anyone else in the four weeks prior to your visit.

  • In receipt of Income Support, Income- Based Job Seeker’s Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit with a disability element or Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit or hold a Health Benefits Certificate.

You must send in your Health Benefits Certificate or tax credit award notice the first time that you claim.

  • A dependent of someone who is receiving any of the above benefits.
  • Partners who were living with the prisoner, as a couple, in an established relationship immediately prior to imprisonment are eligible.
  • If you weren’t living together but have eligible children then you may qualify for help by acting as an escort to the child(ren).

You should send in proof that the prisoner is the parent of the child(ren) with your first application form. If the prisoner’s name is on the birth certificate, this will serve as proof. If not you can visit your local Registry Office who can provide assistance and the proper form.

Applications should be made online. Go to www.gov.uk/help-with-prison-visits to apply for help. Claims must be made within 28 days of the date of the first visit.

If you need to apply before you visit allow at least two weeks for your application to be processed. You must email all receipts/tickets and a confirmation of visit voucher to Help With Prison Visits  for every visit that you make even if it is your last visit.

Help With Prison visits will pay for travel to and from the prison by public transport or private motor vehicle. Help With Prison Visits will not pay for taxis unless the fare is less than the public transport alternative, there is no public transport available or there is a medical reason which makes travel by taxi necessary (a note of confirmation from your doctor stating your inability to travel by public transport will be required).

If you are away from home for five hours or more you can also claim a set meal allowance. Overnight allowances may be paid at the discretion of Help With Prison Visits.

Address: Help With Prison Visits, PO Box 17594, Birmingham B2 2QP  Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 Tel: 0300 063 2100 lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday. Email: assisted.prison.visits@noms.gsi.gov.uk

Link: https://www.gov.uk/assisted-prison-visits

Alternatively you can call the Offenders Family helpline on 0808 808 2003.

They are open Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00 and Sat-Sun 10:00-15:00.

They will offer advice on assisted visits.