Amid controversial plans to cut disability benefits, many Brits are worried they’ll lose their free bus pass. However, reports suggest millions may still be entitled to the perk
Millions of Brits may still be eligible for a free bus pass, even if controversial cuts to disability benefits passes through parliament.
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which has been described as ‘catastrophic’ by charities, aims to slash a staggering £5 billion from the welfare bill by 2030. Dozens of Labour MPs are poised to rebel against the brutal cuts when the bill is put to the vote in the coming weeks.
However, even if these changes to disability benefit eligibility become law – many Brits could still benefit from free travel. According to Chronicle Live, the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, which is dependent on disability benefit eligibility, could continue to offer free bus passes to those who have lost their benefit claim under new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rules.
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Following concerns that swathes of disabled people risk losing their right to a free bus pass amid the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) shakeup, reports suggest the wording of the Green Paper proposals implies that even if you lose your PIP, you might still be eligible for the concessionary travel scheme pass.
Eligibility for the disabled concessionary travel scheme, offering free bus rides across England, traditionally hinges on PIP criteria. If you’re eligible for the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP due to mobility issues, you’re eligible for a pass even if you don’t receive any payment from it.
Other routes to a cost-free travel card include being of State Pension age, being a caregiver, or falling under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme banner. For those with disabilities, snagging a pass spells savings, benefits cuts notwithstanding.
Grounds for a free travel pass also include being over State Pension age, a carer, or qualifying under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. Applying as a disabled person is a cost-saving measure, even if benefits are cut. Eligibility for a reduced cost or free travel pass includes:.
- An older person who has reached their 66th birthday (current state pension age)
- Someone with a learning, speech, visual or physical disability under pensionable age
- A carer companion to someone who couldn’t travel without your help
- Qualify under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
For disability qualification, you must have had a PIP assessment and show evidence of receiving the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP, or have scored at least eight points in “moving around” or “communicating verbally”, reports Chronicle Live. Alternatively, presenting the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance can support your application. If you want to qualify as a disabled person for the scheme, you will still need to meet strict criteria. This includes being:
- chronically sick and disabled and suffering from any disability which permanently and seriously impairs your ability to walk
- permanently blind and unable to perform any duties for which sight is required
- assessed as having learning disabilities
- registered as profoundly deaf, with or without speech
- without the use of both arms, whether through the absence of limbs or otherwise
- unable to drive having had a driving license refused or revoked on medical grounds
- registered as partially sighted (where disability can be assessed by a Consultant Ophthalmologist)
As previously reported, Londoners are also entitled to free travel when they turn 60 – using the 60+ London Oyster photocard. This is restricted to journeys within the city and includes:
- Free travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line (excluding between West Drayton and Reading) and most National Rail services in London.
- You can travel free on TfL services anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:00.
- You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holidays.
- Discounted fares on River Services.Discounts on Santander Cycle Hire.
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