bus pass

[tina99]

Hi all

I am my daughters carer and i have just started getting carers allowance, could anyone tell me how i get a companion bus pass so that i can travel with my daughter on the bus for free. She has a lot of hospital appointments that i have to take her to and which does cost a small fortune. I am aware that i can go to the libary and get my daughters card done but not sure who i need to contact for my companion part.

if she is on high mobility and over 3 she is entitled to a free bus pass (transport will moan cos technicl under 5's dont need one ut i argued on the grounds that getting to all them hospital appys costs a fortune and we needed it, i know you can get your fares back but our local's finance office is in a listed building wth 10 steps to entrance and cant do that with wheelchair) transport issue a form, gp/paed needs to fill out a part then you take it to (here its ss) to get it stamped and authorised then back to transport to be issued the bus pass. the actual pass is electronic now so they take a head shot with web cam and you should get it in ost in about a week. theyl only add the +carer to pass if they believe she needs a carer with her at all times to access transport (depends how gp fills out his part for that bit)
process may differ in different areas and i did apply for m son's pass 3 years ago and i do know stuff changes hth

its based on mobility eliment of dla so if a child with asd/ adhd has been awarded higher mobility then they cant refuse.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Publictransport/BusAndCoachTravel/DG_10036264

if you still feel you should be entiltled to a mobility bus pass, get the form and ask gp to help you fill it in.

DS has had a Freedom Pass and Taxicard for years based on his entitlement to higher rate mobility DLA. I have never heard of a carer being entitled to a pass. If people take him out for me and incur transport costs then I reimburse them from my DPs. We have a motability car which is what I use to go out and about with him.

My son's bus pass has a +C on the corner of it, which allows the carer to go free with him... they asked if I wanted that when we applied. (Oxfordshire county council) so it IS available in some areas at least.

He does get high Mobility tho (he has ASD but physical problems too) Worth asking wherever the bus pass is issued from.

same as my sons pass. has +c in corner entitling 1 free carer to travel though found that skegness council dont let you use that part if your not from area :/

If the costs of travelling to hospital are the main problem then why not contact the hospital for details of help available for travel costs. If you have an NHS certificate of exemption due to tax credits you may qualify for help with costs automatically but you do need to ask and claim the costs back.