DLA & Concessionary travel.

GlasweJen

i believe that the C+1 scheme is scottish

daska

TRAINS - if you're in a wheelchair you should also get half price travel - NO NEED FOR A DISABLED RAILCARD - though rules are applied somewhat differently by various companies, I travel with my kids who can't push my wheelchair so I use a scooter and still get the discount on one service but not on another!
BLUE BADGE - no need for GP involvement if you receive higher rate mobility
BUSES - depends on LA

Glyndwr_2

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

Can you advsie where do I ask about this please? I already have a Freedom pass which gives me free travel 24/7 in London on all transport but I cant go out by myself as Im in a wheelchair and need someone to push me.

The C+1 scheme disappeared in many areas when the travel scheme changed to allow you to travel throughout England.

Q. Are carers entitled to a freedom pass when they travel with a freedom pass holder?
A. No. There is no facility in legislation regarding concessionary travel to allow carers to apply for a freedom pass. Applicants must be eligible through age or disability.
A freedom pass holder who finds it too difficult to travel using public transport alone in certain circumstances could apply for the Taxicard scheme which is also managed by London Councils.
This service provides subsidised door to door taxi trips in licensed taxis and Private Hire Vehicles for people with serious mobility problems.
Application forms are available by telephoning 020 7484 2929 or email [EMAIL="taxicard@alg.gov.uk"]taxicard@londoncouncils.gov.uk[/EMAIL]

cheap_charlie

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

Can you advsie where do I ask about this please? I already have a Freedom pass which gives me free travel 24/7 in London on all transport but I cant go out by myself as Im in a wheelchair and need someone to push me.

Thanks

PP
xx

I live in Edinburgh and was able to request a +1 on the form I had to fill in.

Not sure if this is national or not - of course in my opinion it should be!

Penny-Pincher!!

Thanks everyone.

I have just received back this email:

I am sorry to say that in London there are not any concessions for carers, as there is such a comprehensive package offered to the pass holders. Unlike the rest of the country that offer only free travel on the buses, so give carers free travel as well.

mitzimog

Concessionary travel isn't just for people with physical mobility problems--people who have trouble understanding/reading bus schedules, planning journeys, coping with delays/changes--i.e,, people with learning difficulties, autism etc.--can be eligible for a concessionary pass too. Local agencies that help people with developmental disabilities can fill out the pass forms and stamp them in some areas. We are in Birmingham and a local agency (Community Options) did this for our son (autism, but no LD), they provided travel training also so he can now travel on his own. He still needs help with planning trips but has travelled out of town on the bus and on trains now, with a travel plan written out by us and mobile phone at the ready. The concessionary pass gives him lots of freedom and independence :-) It also helps if something goes wrong, he can show it to a police officer etc. and they'll understand that there is a "disability issue" and act accordingly. This happened when he travelled to London and there was a train stoppage, he showed his pass to Tube staff and they helped him calm down and change to a bus. Brilliant help and much appreciated by worried Mom!!!

cumbrianpip

Alliec wrote: »

Hi,

I'm entitled to receive a concessionary travel pass but was wondering if I'm able to apply with my original DLA award letter (Ent1) or do I need to call the DWP for the DBD384 letter? Seems kinda redundant to request a letter stating what the original letter already says.

A

If the organisation you are applying to want evidence of your DLA entitlement it is usually best fo get an update DBD384. If you show an old Decision letter they don't know if anything has changed since that award

Their problem is generally with "indefinite" awards ie those that have no specific end date .. (not a "lifetime award" as many mistakenly think.) Most organisations like to see a letter now that is less than 6 months old

Hope this helps,
You can ask DLA for a 384 whenver you need one and however many times you need one

Pete268

The problem with the Concessionary Bus Passes for disabled people is that the eligibility criteria is different across the various local authorities in England.

Partly this is down to the Department of Transport who only issued 'Guidance' to local authorities on eligibility and not specific, legally binding powers. This has resulted in a 'post code lottery' on who receives the bus pass (or not) depending on which local authority area one resides in and their interpretation of the guidance The actual guidance is here:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/concessionary/informationlocalauthorities/guidancedisabled/ancetolocalauthoritieson3561.pdf

However to quote a few differing examples, my local authority will only issue the disabled bus passes to those who are either registered blind or deaf, or who receive High Rate DLA Mobility or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement. In an adjoining local authority area, anyone can apply and they are given a 'self assessment' form to complete and an award is made on the basis of the self assessment. Another local authority actually rings applicants up and assesses over the telephone. Another local authority gives a bus pass to any recipient of any level of DLA.

So, overall it is a mess. What someone may get in one local authority area has no relevance to what someone may get in another. Another fine botch up!!

Peter