Bus / Train card?

Crisp_£_note

Hi

I am currently in receipt of P.I.P. and also on ESA (contributions only). My husband has been helpful by driving me around to appointments etc but now I feel it is getting too much for him at times. He will wait out in the cold car or during the summer the hot car or there is the other side of it when it gets awkward as he is busy and it's finding the time to fit me in.

My question is would I be entitled to a disability Bus pass and / or railcard? Im in my early 40's so no other discount cards are available to me and at their full price I can't afford them or the ordinary ticket anyway on a regular basis. This impacts me in more ways than being able to travel to important appointments as it also prevents me having a social life anymore. O/H isn't interested in the things I enjoy doing and I can't say I blame him for not wanting to hang about with my friends or waiting for me for hours whilst I enjoy an evening out at a weekly group. The groups are often outside my town so it is beneficial (time and fuel wise) for him to hang around rather than travel back home then come back out to collect me again, none of the other members live in my area so no chance of a lift and there are no such groups in my town either. I do have agoraphobia but if I can get a buss pass I can challenge myself to overcome the fear of public transport for the sake of my mental health. If I can gain a train pass then I could possibly make trips slightly further afield but closer to home or even my ultimate wish to go home to Wales more often to see my family.

I'm not sure where to get the forms or who needs to sign them would it be my GP or my rhumatologist and do I need to make an appointment to do this or simply hand them in and ask for them to be signed so I can collect them and send them off for processing? That is of course if I am even entitled!? Knowing my luck I won't be.

TIA

Starrystarrynight

As you're in receipt of PIP, you should be entitled to a concessionary bus pass for free journeys, outside of peak hours. Applications used to be through the local council; perhaps you could Google concessionary travel for your area. Hopefully, someone will come along with a link.

poppy12345

To be eligible for a free bus pass from your local council you must have scored 8 points or more in the "moving around" part of PIP. Your award notice will confirm whether you have or not. If so then you ring your local council for a form and then just send your PIP award notice in with the application. If you haven't got this award then depending on your councils criteria they may give you one after having a short assessment. For this though you would need to look at their web site.

There is a Disabled Persons Railcard available to those claiming PIP at a cost of £20 for 1 year or £54 for 3 years. This card would give you and a companion a third off your rail costs.

Mrs_Ryan

I know in my local authority you have to be in receipt of the higher rate of mobility for PIP but it does vary. you can also apply under the criteria of being refused a driving licence- I'm applying under that as I suffer panic attacks when in cars which can cause me to have seizures. I would suggest checking with your local authority as to what their criteria are.

poppy12345

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

I know in my local authority you have to be in receipt of the higher rate of mobility for PIP but it does vary. you can also apply under the criteria of being refused a driving licence- I'm applying under that as I suffer panic attacks when in cars which can cause me to have seizures. I would suggest checking with your local authority as to what their criteria are.

If someone has scored 8 points or more in the moving around part of PIP it allows them to have a free buss pass and a blue badge. This is standard procedure with a PIP award, regardless of council criteria.

Crisp_£_note

Thank you all have been most helpful. I haven't been refused a driving license but I don't hold a full one and never have, the condition in my back etc I feel I won't ever be able to either.

I live in West Sussex so will go check out the criteria for the council. Thank you though for the info about the Disability rail card I had no idea this was available, but will be very helpful for me either way.

Thank you

kingfisherblue

In Merseyside, it is through Merseytravel, not the council. Disabled bus passes in our area can be used at any time of day, including peak periods. They can also be used on Mersey Ferries (not pleasure cruises) and trains within the area. It's worth checking your loca council or travel company websites.