Bus Pass Rip Off

PamelaH

I turn 60 in June this year. I already know that I am not entitled to my pension until September. Anyway I decided I would find out about my bus pass and guess what according to our local authority I won't get that until September either. Does anyone know if it will affect my free prescriptions. Any comments gratefully received.

Biggles

Free prescriptions start on your 60th birthday.

Armando_2

PamelaH wrote: »

I turn 60 in June this year. I already know that I am not entitled to my pension until September. Anyway I decided I would find out about my bus pass and guess what according to our local authority I won't get that until September either. Does anyone know if it will affect my free prescriptions. Any comments gratefully received.

Seems unfair that you have to wait til September when you're already 60 in June. Don't get it.

zygurat789

PamelaH wrote: »

I turn 60 in June this year. I already know that I am not entitled to my pension until September. Anyway I decided I would find out about my bus pass and guess what according to our local authority I won't get that until September either. Does anyone know if it will affect my free prescriptions. Any comments gratefully received.

That's not what the pension age calculator at direct.gov told me.

It seems sensible that the entitlement to a bus pass comes with the receipt of the old age pension or to avoid sexism at the age a female would receive it for a male.

Biggles

zygurat789 wrote: »

That's not what the pension age calculator at direct.gov told me.

Females with DoB up to 5 Jun 50 get their pension on 6 Jul 10, from 6 Jun 50 onwards it changes to 6 Sep 10.

I wouldn't be surprised if the bus pass age varies from one local authority area to another.

McKneff

If you turn 60 in June, you should get your pension in September, this is to do with the phasing in of the 65 retirement age, same as men.

I alwasy assumed that you got your bus pass on or after your 60th Birthday.
I would recheck with them. But this may be affected by the new rules as above.

Prescriptions are definitely on or after your birthday.

lilac_lady

The way the goalposts are being moved the bus pass will be useless as the older people won't be able to climb on the bus by the time they retire!

seven-day-weekend

Many of the things formerly available at 60 are moving in line with the rise in Pension ages. This includes Pension Credit.

Fair enough really (says she, as one of the last who could still get Pension/Bus Pass etc at 60 ).

McKneff

Me too SDW:j:j

scotsbob

My local authority gives you the pass on your 60th birthday. You are allowed to apply in advance and it is sent out a week before the day actual day you are entitled to start using it.

morag1202

PamelaH wrote: »

I turn 60 in June this year. I already know that I am not entitled to my pension until September. Anyway I decided I would find out about my bus pass and guess what according to our local authority I won't get that until September either. Does anyone know if it will affect my free prescriptions. Any comments gratefully received.

I'm afraid it does affect free prescriptions too. This post explains it better than I can.