Returning a Freedom Pass

HAYWAIN

I've recently had an operation to help with my disability and feel I no longer need my Freedom Pass.

I just wondered how can you return the pass & what do you say when it's returned.

I don't want to accused of fraud and just wondered if anyone has any advice.

margaretclare

Not sure what you mean by a Freedom Pass, but if it's similar to a bus pass, just return it to where you got it from.

I've recently done that with my bus pass. No questions were asked. In fact, our local authority website actually says 'if you don't need it any more then send it back'.

alanq

"7. Freedom Passes are issued to eligible older and disabled people whose sole or principal residence is in Greater London. If the passholder no longer has their sole or principal residence in the Greater London area or the pass is no longer in use then the pass must be surrendered to the following freepost address:
FREEPOST FREEDOM PASS RETURNS"

http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/freedompass/howto/conditions.htm

chesky369

I wouldn't be too hasty in returning it, despite the good results of your operation. It's not doing any harm, sitting in your kitchen drawer after all and these things are very easy to return and, in your case, quite difficult to access, should you decide you need it after all.

HAYWAIN

The thing is, I would like to do more walking/running which I used to do many moons ago. Not very far and not very fast all the same.

The doctor says that if I'm up to it I should do more exercise to strengthen my right leg after my op.

I'd be worried that someone from the council sees me doing a bit of exercise and even though it might not be that far, they will think I don't have the limited mobility that's required to meet the criteria for a Freedom Pass and I've given false information.

I don't want to end up in court for being more able than the pass was to be intended for.

vodkawitch1

If your doctor says you should excercise then don`t be worried. Keep your pass.

Savvy_Sue

Lewisham wrote: »

I'd be worried that someone from the council sees me doing a bit of exercise and even though it might not be that far, they will think I don't have the limited mobility that's required to meet the criteria for a Freedom Pass and I've given false information.

I'd be gobsmacked if anyone from 'the council' would be checking up on people in this way. Even if they are, you were entitled to the pass when it was awarded, you may be entitled to it again, you're obviously alert to the possibility of misuse, but you're not planning to do that, are you?

chesky369

Always handy to keep the pass to hand. If you are starting to exercise again, it may be that you go a little too far too fast, so it might be a very good thing to be able to nip on a bus to get you home.

alanq

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I'd be gobsmacked if anyone from 'the council' would be checking up on people in this way.

On the other hand there may be a small risk of someone making a report to them. We had a member on these forums concerned that apparently healthy people were using disabled passes on buses.

Savvy_Sue

alanq wrote: »

On the other hand there may be a small risk of someone making a report to them. We had a member on these forums concerned that apparently healthy people were using disabled passes on buses.

yes, but that can only happen if the OP USES the pass. ATM they're not expecting to need to. But even if they do have the dreaded relapse they have their GP's advice that they should try to exercise, which they did but it didn't work. And I don't know, but some of the passes do track your journeys, don't they? so it would be possible to establish when the card had been used.

chesky369

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

yes, but that can only happen if the OP USES the pass. ATM they're not expecting to need to. But even if they do have the dreaded relapse they have their GP's advice that they should try to exercise, which they did but it didn't work. And I don't know, but some of the passes do track your journeys, don't they? so it would be possible to establish when the card had been used.

Freedom passes in London definitely don't track your journeys.