Disabled travel pass refusal

toffeecoated

My new neighbours have moved up from London where the husband had a Freedom pass (London version of the free travel for disabled people scheme) He assumed he would be entitled to one here in Manchester but his application was refused on the grounds that the medication he takes does not match the description he gave of his illness, which is a long term mental health problem. The application form was signed by his mental health worker and clearly states that anyone who would be refused a driving licence on medical grounds is entitled to the pass. It is obvious to anyone who knows him that he is in no fit condition to drive. Is there any appeals procedure he can try? His wife said in London all he had to do was get the form signed by a doctor or mental health worker and there were no problems, but up here nobody wants to give him anything.

savemoney

I think it depends on the council if they use some discretion, hence why he may in London.

Since April 2008 everyone who is resident in England and who is:

• over 60 or
• 'eligible disabled'

What is 'eligible disabled'?

You are eligible disabled if you:

• are blind or partially sighted
• are profoundly or severely deaf
• are without speech
• have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk
• do not have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms
• have a learning disability, or
• would, if you applied for a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have your application refused under section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) on grounds other than persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/PublicTransport/BusAndCoachTravel/DG_10036264

Might be worth someone on his behalf appealing

Savvy_Sue

While it may be obvious to anyone who knows him that he's not fit to drive, I'm not sure how that helps someone who only has the benefit of looking at his application form.

If he would not be issued a driving licence because of his condition or because of the medication he takes, then that would be grounds to appeal, and it might be that a letter from his mental health worker would be enough. But the people to ask about the appeals procedure would be the people who have said he's not eligible.

nettttie

I work for a GP surgery in Manchester and we do supporting letters for patients who have been refused. You may have to pay a small fee £10-15 for a private letter.

My sister has mental health problems and has a free bus pass on no medication! She's in Rossendale though but can use it in North West. BTW she's not on meds because she's put on them so they can make her ill and she's nobodies fool!!!

GlasweJen

Your friend could also apply for a drivers licence and use his refusal letter to re-apply for the pass.

System

Quick question, do they have a seperate form for those with MH to fill in? I only ask as when i was thinking of applying the women at the council didn't think i'd get it if i'd applied with the usual form, so went and got me one tailored for MH problems instead.

toffeecoated

Thanks everyone, yes there is a separate form for mental health problems. I saw the refusal letter and he needs to get a letter from the doctor confirming that he is unfit to drive. His psychologist has already stated this on the original form so i think they are being deliberately unhelpful. It really annoys me when people who are genuinely ill get messed about like this while others seem to get whatever they want when there is nothing wrong with them.

[Deleted User]

GMPTE(manchester)are probably the least helpful and meanest pte in the uk.
fight them all the way.

Trialia

Toffeecoated, this sounds very odd to me. I have bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia, and am only 23, yet I had no trouble getting a travel pass through GMPTE at all. I would definitely suggest he reapply, and a letter from the DVLA may help, though I didn't need one. Is he on DLA at all?

Woodbine, that's far from accurate. Just the other day I had a bad fall across the tram lines in Piccadilly Gardens, and not only did the (GMPTE-employed) driver of an oncoming tram manage to stop short of hitting me with very little notice, he got out of the cab to help me to my feet and off the track. I have never had any problems with GMPTE. Stagecoach, occasionally, but not the actual transit authority.

[Deleted User]

woodbine wrote: »

GMPTE(manchester)are probably the least helpful and meanest pte in the uk.
fight them all the way.

I'd actually agree with this. I'm in Merseyside and have had a free travel pass since I was about 16. Merseytravel have been giving disabled people completly free travel, which includes peak time travel, for as long as I can remember.
I know other areas where doing the same and was shocked when a friend told me in Manchester all hers gave her was discounted travel.

Since the change in the law Manchester now give free travel but do not go above and beyond like other councils and dont give free peak time travel like Merseyside and lots of other areas. This doesnt help disabled people who work, study or have to go elsewhere before 9.30am. They wont give more than the Law instructs them to even though it also says they can if they want to.

I'm sure individual employees are great, understanding and caring in GMPTE, but the organistation/business as a whole = money grabbers and far from understanding pah.

PolishBigSpender

_shel wrote: »

Since the change in the law Manchester now give free travel but do not go above and beyond like other councils and dont give free peak time travel like Merseyside and lots of other areas. This doesnt help disabled people who work, study or have to go elsewhere before 9.30am. They wont give more than the Law instructs them to even though it also says they can if they want to.

Why should they? They are presumably accountable to the electorate - which may not be too happy to subsidise disabled people beyond what the law requires.