Problems getting a disabled bus pass.

chipwatch

Ok here goes I am from Scotland originally and moved to England, I had a bus pass in scotland for mental health and disablity(autism)

I phoned a few months back when I was thinking of moving and was told as long as I had proof from a social worker/professional that I had learning difficulties and was getting treatment i.e seeing a specialist/psychologist I would be entitled to a pass.

I phoned today as noticed my local library can do the application for you but when I enquired the staff didn't know what evidence was needed and advised I phoned the nowcard place.

I did so and was told it was doubtful I would be entitled because they changed the system a year ago and things like depression. anxiety, dyspraxia and all that would not quality.

On top of that even if it did as I was assessed in Scotland my evidence would not be accepted as it needs to be from English establishment (despite it being done by the NHS)

So I am quite distressed, and confused as I can interpret things in a way that means I quality.

This is that part I mean

"A person with a learning disability has a reduced ability to understand new or complex information, a difficulty in learning new skills, and may be unable to cope independently. These disabilities must have started before adulthood and have a lasting effect on development. The person should be able to qualify for specialist services and he or she may have had special educational provision."

I had learning support at school but as that was the early 1990s (I am in my 30s now) funding and awareness wasn't there but I did see a psychologist and attend a "support group" at school which was where they sent the trouble kids, be they the troublemakers or quiet ones, I even found on my medical records dyslexia and dyspraxia was diagnosed when I was at school

I used to have care workers as my autism gives me severe anxiety and mental heath issues so I won't leave the house for days, I have not worked in 10 years as I have panic attacks and even when I do I cannot handle authority, and my coordination is so bad I drop boxes, I trip over own feet or walk into walls though the last two have improved in recent years.

So wanted some advice, are they correct? Or does my "Invisible" issues mean I should be?

kingfisherblue

You say that

things like depression. anxiety, dyspraxia and all that would not quality.

It does not say that autism (which is your disability) does not qualify. However, you then quote something in bold (I assume from the criteria for your area). This refers to learning difficulties, not any of the above conditions. Autism can go hand in hand with learning difficulties, but this is not always the case.

Although libraries in your area can deal with applications, it sounds as though the staff need more training (including what evidence is necessary). You have also contacted the 'nowcard place' (I'm assuming 'nowcard' is the name of the disability pass in your area). They have said it is unlikely that you will qualify. However, they have not said that you definitely won't qualify. Is it possible for you to make an appointment with them? To reduce anxiety levels, you could take someone with you, and you could write down the reasons that you feel you qualify. Take any evidence of your medical conditions and how they affect you.

WeAreGhosts

I had problems getting one, too, despite being able to show I fit the criteria. In the end, my GP wrote a letter and I included that in my application.

chipwatch

Well they did say autism is only counted on their own scale of 1-100 and only ones that score over 50 can get it and those are the ones that get dla mid rate anyway.

They said they see learning difficulty and learning disability as two seperate things, difficulty as in lets say I can do something but I struggle it means I can do it so its not a disability which they see as unable to do something at all.

kazzah

in our local area you have to have an IQ score of 70 or under to qualify for a disabled concessionary pass - my son with Autism has an IQ of 96 so did not qualify.

KxMx

Tightened up in this area years ago. Basically you have to fit a tick box, and they removed the "other health condition" box you could apply under with an accompanying medical letter.

Prinzessilein

In the area in which I live, you can get a bus-pass if you have a disability which would preclude you from getting a Driving Licence....in my case I have Autism, including severe Dyspraxia and would not be allowed to drive.

You need to have a letter from your GP/Specialist confirming the disability....and the disability must not be related to any form of alcohol/drug abuse.

GlasweJen

In Scotland to be accepted for a pass on "other" criteria you need to apply for a drivers licence, fill out the correct medical screening test and get the letter back rejecting the application. This is to avoid people who have been banned for dangerous driving or drunk/drug related driving offenses applying with a GP letter.

OP can/could you drive? Most high functioning autistic people could unless complicated with another condition like dyspraxia or severe dyslexia that means they can't read and process road signs quickly enough.

Mrs_Ryan

I got one on grounds of being refused a driving licence but only because I have vertigo and have sudden and very disabling dizzy spells which leave me very disorientated for days. However this is a new diagnosis- I originally got awarded because I have severe panic attacks if another car gets too close to the car I am a passenger in after a severe collision seven years ago. My application was rejected on those grounds this time (and I was told to learn to drive!) but I got it this time on the grounds of my dizzy spells which luckily my rheumatologist had mentioned in a letter. It seems they're really cracking down now.

Torry_Quine

chipwatch wrote: »

Well they did say autism is only counted on their own scale of 1-100 and only ones that score over 50 can get it and those are the ones that get dla mid rate anyway.

They said they see learning difficulty and learning disability as two seperate things, difficulty as in lets say I can do something but I struggle it means I can do it so its not a disability which they see as unable to do something at all.

Learning difficulties and learning disabilities are different things. Disabilities are things such as Downs Syndrome, Autism and Global Developmental Delay for example. Difficulties are things such as dyslexia and dyscalculia.

chipwatch

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Learning difficulties and learning disabilities are different things. Disabilities are things such as Downs Syndrome, Autism and Global Developmental Delay for example. Difficulties are things such as dyslexia and dyscalculia.

I have autism, I didn't interact with other people at school and even now in adulthood I shy away from human contact, hate people in my personal space (can basically freak out but never gone that far but been so close my heart is racing and I have to fidget.

But as I bottle up things even when I do ask for help I get none as they just see me as "coping"

It doesn't help I am classed as mensa level IQ as by that reckoning I must be able to take care of myself because of the high IQ.