Disabilty Carers on Public Transport

Darfyddi

Sorry if this should be in disability and not in public transport but please let me know if you move it.

I am a full time carer for my disabled wife and although lots of people out there in the media and blogisphere seem to think that we are just benefit scroungers that made this life choice it is absolute hell.

What I would like to know is if I can get any help with public transport costs?

"Your wife gets free travel" I hear you all shout... That is all and well if she is able to travel alone but most of the time I need to be with her during travel which means traveling to where she is going, travelling back and then later repeating the same journey to get her back again. Although she has a travel pass we are still paying out twice as much just to get one person somewhere and back then it would cost a person that can do it on their own.

Many thanks for any advice on this. Oh, I live in Coventry, West Midlands/Warwickshire if that makes a difference for local schemes.

Torry_Quine

Depending on the need for a companion you may be able to get a bus pass which allows a companion to go with her at no cost. Your local council who issued the bus pass should have the information on how to apply.

thelawnet

I'm afraid that for any journey where you have left her somewhere and go and pick her up later, it will be deemed that you are not disabled and should get no discount.

But you could contact the relevant transport companies and explain and perhaps they could issue a letter.

I assume you are aware of

http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/ - on trains
http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/mobility34/Concessionary.aspx - on buses

System

Also do you claim Disability Living Allowance? If she has problems with mobility it could lead to an award of the mobility element which might be able to either go towards travel costs or perhaps a motobility car?

missile

Some local authorities provide travel cards with +1 i.e. so the carer accompanying a disabled person travels free on the bus.

No idea about your LA, suggest you enquire at the council office.

You might get a better response on the Carers and Dosh Forum.

Mrs_Ryan

My Mum has one of the companion passes from her local authority but I dont live a million miles away from yourselves and they dont seem to have them down here. No harm in asking though.

art_for_arts_sake

You can get a companion pass in my local area but only if the disabled person gets the higher rate of mobility. I've never understood why you can get a pass as a person with a learning disability but are assumed to be able to travel independently.

[Deleted User]

if she qualifies for an adult disabled railcard(£20 a year or £54 for 3 years)then you both get a third off if traveling together

Crabman

OP - if you'd like me to move this thread to the 'Disability & Dosh' board, just let me know

crabyducky

art_for_arts_sake wrote: »

You can get a companion pass in my local area but only if the disabled person gets the higher rate of mobility. I've never understood why you can get a pass as a person with a learning disability but are assumed to be able to travel independently.

Because some are quite able to travel independently.


In regards to the companion pass my local council charges charges 10-20 per year to have a companion added to a travel pass. As well as needing letters from your doctor saying why you need the companion.

art_for_arts_sake

crabyducky wrote: »

Because some are quite able to travel independently.

But not all. There is no route to appeal against this decision BTW, unless you have a mobility problem there is no provision for a companion pass for a carer. I don't understand the thought processes that went into making this rule as there is clearly a need for some people with a learning disability to have a carer with them to assist their decision making and to ensure they arrive safely at their destination.