Disabled Bus Pass

SKINNYPHIL
SKINNYPHIL Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
in Transport and travel

Hi, I have anxiety and depression plus COPD. I have to use a walking stick when out due to breathlessness. I am currently receiving enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility on PIP. The problem I have is that my award is only 4 points for mobility ( I put the wrong walking distance down on the form). I have 10 points for planning and following a journey so get enhanced mobility. I don't understand how I'm entitled to a mobility car ( but I don't drive) but not a bus pass let alone a companion one as I struggle on my own and have someone with me. I live in Hertfordshire so not sure if all councils are the same.

Any advice?

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Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,442 Championing
    edited February 8

    All local authorities do differ slightly. Mine for example does not offer companion bus passes at all. No exceptions.

    All have automatic and most have discretionary criteria.

    As you've found out, you don't get the correct PIP points for a particular descriptor to qualify automatically. They look specifically at mobility as in mobilising, not journey planning or other difficulties to qualify automatically with PIP.

    You can still apply under discretionary criteria

    "Disability or injury which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on the ability to walk – Eligibility code D"

    using medical evidence. You might be asked to do a medical assessment.

    https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/adult-social-services/transport-for-older-people-and-disabled-people/bus-passes-for-disabled-people.aspx#DynamicJumpMenuManager_1_Anchor_1

  • SKINNYPHIL
    SKINNYPHIL Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    I only just had a review for pip and it is indefinite. I can't now report a change of condition. I can't believe I can't get a bus pass but can get a motability car and a blue badge.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,442 Championing
    edited February 8

    You can still apply for a bus pass as advised with other medical evidence.

    I did my applications (outcome 1 x2 year bus pass, then upon renewal was given 3 years) with a paid for GP letter. I wasn't asked to do any further medical assessment. I now do qualify automatically.

    It's because your local authority only accepts PIP awards with 8+ points for Moving Around to qualify automatically for a Bus Pass.

    Motability is a separate organisation with no criteria beyond an Enhanced PIP award with a minimum length, and a Blue Badge has different, wider criteria under your local authority compared to a Bus Pass. They are all different things with different criteria.

  • SwiftFox
    SwiftFox Posts: 504 Empowering

    It all depends on the area and some are very strict, with what you say you've got, it wouldn't wash in my area. But you get PiP and that's what it's for, getting around by taxi if you don't drive.

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 309 Connected

    The problem with using Taxis all the time is that it can get rather expensive, my Parents visit me weekly, it costs them probably £20-25 each way, so that's £200 a month purely on Taxi fares, they use Evri because we know not to use Uber at certain times of day due to surge pricing.

  • SKINNYPHIL
    SKINNYPHIL Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    I was a rather upset about the comment about using a taxi. I use all my mobility allowance on taxis and more due to not being able to travel alone and paying for someone to travel with me.

  • SwiftFox
    SwiftFox Posts: 504 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1103868#Comment_1103868

    Why upset?..I just said you could use your PiP money for taxi's, whats wrong with that?. As I said, not all areas are the same, some will give you a blue badge or bus pass and some won't. I don't get a pip or bus pass so I have to pay either way.

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 309 Connected

    I've had a Bus pass for years, in fact I upgraded it in 2024 to +carer.

    I had to get a Bus pass because in 2003, I was declared medically unfit to even take driving lessons by the DVLA, I wouldn't mind but I know for a fact there's other people with Autism who have full licenses.

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 5,315 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1103891#Comment_1103891

    I have autism and hold a clean driving licence. Why should I not be allowed to drive? 🤔

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 309 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1103911#Comment_1103911

    For one thing, you probably aren't as physically disabled as I am, and don't have my tendency to blow your top over the slightest thing, the DVLA back then said I'd be a candidate for "Road Rage", pardon?!

  • Chris75_
    Chris75_ Online Community Member Posts: 4,782 Championing

    I have a 3 year restricted licence, but no means to pay for a WAV. Life can be a challenge, can it not?

  • karrine
    karrine Online Community Member Posts: 5 Contributor

    Maybe the solution might be your companion/carer. Do they drive? if they do then you can apply for Motability car. You lease it your higher rate Mobility pays for it but they drive it with you in it.

    A carer cannot personally lease a Motability car, but they can drive one or arrange one on behalf of a disabled person who receives a qualifying higher-rate mobility allowance. The car must be used for the benefit of the disabled person, and the carer can be a named driver (up to 3), appointee, or nominee.  Hope this help Skinnyphil

  • SwiftFox
    SwiftFox Posts: 504 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1103915#Comment_1103915

    You're probably no more disabled than anyone else who needs a bus pass, each one on merit..all counties are diffent.

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