Free bus pass under threat?

EdInvestor

The bottom line appears to be that some councils are getting too much grant money and some are getting too little, and the distribution is now being tweaked to reflect the realitry on the ground.

No threat to the free bus pass would appear to be in prospect at this point.

Doc_N

Looks like changes are already happening - age going up to 65:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/8408013.stm

Benefits align with women's pension age

The age at which people qualify for benefits such as free bus passes and prescriptions will rise from 6 April 2010. At the moment anyone over the age of 60 qualifies for these concessions.
But, tucked away on page 84 of the pre-budget report, the Treasury said this age threshold will rise gradually in the future. The threshold will follow the women's state pension age instead.
The same is true for the winter fuel payments. By April 2020 these concessions will be for the over 65s only.
To find out when you will qualify for these benefits in future, see the following link, and enter you date of birth and gender as "female".



http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/state-pension-age-calculator/home.asp


My wife is now after blood, having been looking forward to her free pass and free prescriptions for some time now! She's not happy.

alared

Thanks for that but the ones that are already getting them,keep them.

For the others it looks as though the age limit will be phased upwards gradually.
I don`t think it means that from next April will won`t get free prescriptions or a bus pass `til your 65.

Doc_N

alared wrote: »

Thanks for that but the ones that are already getting them,keep them.

For the others it looks as though the age limit will be phased upwards gradually.
I don`t think it means that from next April will won`t get free prescriptions or a bus pass `til your 65.

That's right. What they're planning is a big disappointment to those in their late 50s expecting to get their pass at 60, but maybe no great surprise.

The plan is to align the age at which the free bus pass and free prescriptions kick in with the increased age at which women born on or after 6 April 1950 will now receive their state pension. The calculator below will give you a date. You need to enter your gender as 'female' but the new dates will apply to everyone of course:

http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/state-pension-age-calculator/home.asp

seven-day-weekend

I start to receive my State Pension, at 60, on 1st February 2010. (Just born at the right time )

So, as I understand, I can still get my bus pass too, at the same time?

bryanb

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I start to receive my State Pension, at 60, on 1st February 2010. (Just born at the right time )

So, as I understand, I can still get my bus pass too, at the same time?

Phew! You're lucky.

seven-day-weekend

bryanb wrote: »

Phew! You're lucky.

:T:T:T:j:j:j

:beer:

Aren't I just!! Having spent the last five years with NO income of my own, my £102 a week State Pension will make a massive differnce to our finances - AND I won't have to pay to use the bus when I'm doing my six months in the UK!