Hi, my name is anubis619! Just awarded LCWRA will I qualify for free bus and tram travel?

anubis619

I have just been awarded lcwra will I qualify for free bus and tram travel

Kimmy87

LCWRA doesn't automatically qualify you for free bus & tram travel.

You will need to see what scheme your Local authority have, and how to meet those criteria. Each area is different.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass

Rosie_Scope

Hi @anubis68, welcome to the community. As Kimmy87 says, each Local Authority has slightly different rules so you might need to check what they need in your local area.

Sometimes they will ask for you to be claiming the Mobility component of PIP or they might want to see other evidence of how your disability affects you. LCWRA doesn't always qualify you for free travel unfortunately but it's worth checking!

Hope you'll enjoy being part of the community 😊

Amaya_Ringo

If you have a blue badge, or have DLA mobility higher level or 8 or more points on moving around on PIP, you will probably qualify for a bus pass. You will still need to apply and provide the evidence (there will probably be somewhere in your local area you can do that, maybe a council office or a library, check your council's website and see what it says). Some also allow online applications. Points on planning a journey do not automatically count towards a bus pass at present, but can be used as supporting evidence.

If you don't have the above but are medically unable to drive then I think a letter from the doctor or proof of refusal for a driving licence for a disability-related reason is viable evidence, but this isn't a guarantee - the concessionary team will assess the application and decide whether you need more evidence first.

It's a more complicated process than claiming a pass for age.

Also, you mentioned trams. I am not sure how this works as we don't have any in our area, but there may be multiple options that either include or don't include bus and tram so it's worth speaking to your local council about that.

poppy123456

Disabled bus pass entitlement varies considerably depending on the area you live. In my area a PIP/DLA mobility award doesn't automatically qualify you, regardless of where you scored those points.

Conditions such as a learning disability, refused a driving license for medical reasons, blind/partially blind and extreme difficulty walking will qualify you but evidence will be needed.

Amaya_Ringo

It is true different regions do things differently so it is important to check in with your local authority. Some councils are more discretionary and will allow other criteria. It depends a lot on funding as well I think.

But the national guidance to departments like mine is higher mobility on DLA, or eight points or more on Moving Around on PIP. There is also a clause for PIP points on communication.

From the Government's guidance:

"Eligibility for a concessionary travel pass may be considered "automatic" (not requiring further assessment) where a person is in receipt of any of the following state benefits, which link eligibility to receive the benefit to the ability to walk or, in the case of PIP, to communicate orally, provided that the person is of fare paying age and that the award of the benefit has been for at least 12 months or is expected to be for at least 12 months:

a. Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA);

b. Personal Independence Payment (PIP), where the applicant has been awarded at least eight points against either the PIP "Moving around" and/or "Communicating verbally" activities."

I am unsure how this impacts devolved governments, however.

Holly_Scope

@Amaya_Ringo I'm not sure what happened but both posts appeared so I've removed the second one. 😊

All the best,

Holly

durhamjaide2001

congrats on getting the award

Amaya_Ringo

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/954970#Comment_954970

Thank you Holly! I was trying to edit my original one and then it gave me a page full of scripting errors and the original one stopped showing up at all. Probably fifty percent me fifty percent the site having a moment :)

anubis619

Thanks guys

durhamjaide2001

your welcome