Help with the cost of transport if you’re disabled

Many people do not realise that they are eligible to receive help with travel costs. From making the weekly shop to visiting friends and relatives or taking a much-needed holiday we all need to ‘Get Around’.

The help is not just financial, a Blue Badge is a fantastic benefit to people with reduced mobility allowing them special access to the places they need to go. You don’t need to be a driver and you don’t even need to own a car to get a Blue Badge! Use it when a family member or friend takes you somewhere in their car, even if you are a passenger you can still access the benefits and provisions of the Blue Badge scheme.

With the recent increases in the cost of public transport Rail Cards and Bus Passes are also a great way of getting around, benefiting from special rates.

This article has been written using information from the UK Government and Citizens Advice.

Bus Passes and Rail Cards
You can apply for a disabled person’s bus pass or railcard if you have a condition that makes it hard to get around. You don’t need to have a physical health problem – people with learning disabilities can apply too. 

Someone else can apply on your behalf if you need help with the application. You’ll be able to travel for free by bus or get 30% off your train tickets.

Getting a disabled person’s railcard
You are eligible for the Disabled Persons Railcard if you:

  • Receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
  • Receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at either:
    – the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or
    – the higher or middle rate for the care component
  • Have a visual impairment
  • Have a hearing impairment
  • Have epilepsy
  • Receive Attendance Allowance or Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Receive War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
  • Receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
  • Buy or lease a vehicle through the Motability scheme.

Getting a disabled person’s bus pass 
You’ll be able to get a bus pass if:

  • You’re blind or partially sighted, deaf or unable to speak
  • You can’t walk very far because of a disability, illness or injury
  • You don’t have arms or can’t use your arms
  • You have a severe learning disability
  • You’ve been refused a driving licence because of your health (but not because of problems with drugs or alcohol).

If you live in London you’ll need to apply for a ‘Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass’ instead. The eligibility criteria are the same as for the rest of England

Blue Badge Scheme
If you’re disabled or have a health condition that affects your mobility, you can apply for a Blue Badge. You can also apply for a badge if you care for a child with a health condition that affects their mobility. Councils can charge for a blue badge. The most you can be charged is £10.

Who can get a Blue Badge 
You’re automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you:

  • Are registered as blind
  • Get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – check your decision letter if you’re not sure
  • Get War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement 
  • Received a lump sum payment as part of the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8), and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability
  • If you get Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
  • You’re automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you either:
    – scored 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your PIP assessment
    – scored 10 points in the ‘planning and following journeys’ area of your PIP assessment and were put in category ‘E’ – this means your stress, anxiety or other mental health issue stops you from leaving the house
  • Check your PIP decision letter if you’re not sure.

If you’re not automatically eligible you can still get a badge if:

  • You have long-term problems walking or going to places – including problems caused by stress, anxiety or other mental health issues
  • You have severe problems using both your arms
  • You’re applying on behalf of a child aged over 2 who has problems walking or going to places, or a child under 3 who needs to be close to a vehicle because of a health condition.

Get Help and Further Information
You can find out more about the Blue Badge and make an application by following the UK Gov website at:
https://www.gov.uk/blue-badge-scheme-information-council

The Citizens Advice can help you with applying for any of these benefits, you can find your nearest Citizens Advice on-line at:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

Getting a Blue Badge if you have a terminal illness
Your council will usually fast-track your application. You’ll need to send a copy of the medical form that shows you have a terminal illness – this is called form DS1500. You can get form DS1500 from your doctor or consultant.

Contact your local council and ask if you can fill in a paper form – tell them you’re terminally ill when you call. You’ll still need to prove you’re eligible but your application might be dealt with quicker. They might give you instructions that will make the application easier, for example, you might not need to answer all the questions on the form.

If you apply online, tick the box to say you have a terminal illness.