DLA & Free bus pass?

lulupop123

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help, I have the lower end of the mobility allowence
I have heard through a friend of the family that you can get free bus passes if you get DLA. I was wondering if anyone has any knowledge of this (or is better at googling than me!)

Thanks in advance!

Indie_Kid

Only those on the higher mobility rate are automatically entitled to one. If not, you would need to be refused a driving licence for fitness to drive for reasons other than drugs or alcohol.

lulupop123

Ahh ok thank you!, Worth an ask

McKneff

You can apply to your council for a bus pass if you are disabled. It is at their discretion and each council have different criteria.
My husband is sight restricted and he was given one at aged 57. He applied as he was on long term incapacity benefit and it had nothing to do with DLA.

A couple of years later we found out that he could also apply for a companion pass for me to travel with him free as he needed someone with him at all times. We had to send a copy letter from his eye specialist and he was reissued a pass by the council with a 'C' on
it so that a companion travelled free, it did not necessarily have to be me.

I used it for a couple of years until I got a pass in my own right last October.

I would say go for it, you have nothing to lose. (or look on your council's web site)

Good luck
Annie

lulupop123

Thanks Annie, might do a bit more digging around.
I get severe anxiety attacks and they are centered around going away from home & public transport.
I am starting to get help (finally!) and have to do a series of small trips on the local bus, so thought i'd try & find out if i could get free (or discounted) travel as i don't have much money and this is a necessity for getting help with my anxiety attacks.

McKneff

Let me know how you get on. Send me a pm as this thread will drop off the chain at some time

lulupop123

Will do! Thanks!
My OH has temporal lobe epilepsy (sp?) & the docs said he can't drive so i just told him he could possibly get a bus pass, he was super happy :T

kingfisherblue

In my area, you don't contact the council, you apply to Merseytravel. They insist that everyone has a medical, regardless of condition. Even those in receipt of HRM and HRC (such as my son, who has lifelong complex needs, some of which are listed as acceptable criteria on the Merseytravel website) have to have a medical. The waiting list is a few months long.

My son had a medical that consisted of the questions 'Does he have asthma?' and 'Which school does he go to?' - neither seemed relevant. He was awarded a pass for life.

carlislelass

our council automatically give them for registered blind/ partially sighted, everyone else has a medical