Fact Sheet No.5. Transport. The Carers Centre for Brighton & Hove 18 Bedford Place, Brighton BN1 2PT

Transcription

1 Transport Fact Sheet No.5 The Carers Centre for Brighton & Hove 18 Bedford Place, Brighton BN1 2PT Tel: Fax: Registered Charity No Registered Company No August 2014

2 Introduction Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a benefit for people under 65 years of age. However from June 2013, DLA has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for new claimants aged 16 to 64 years. PIP will also be introduced for existing claimants aged 16 to 64 years over a period of time and the Department for Work and Pensions will write to these people personally prior to the change. They will probably not be affected until 2015 or later but there may be exceptions. Fact Sheet No. 4 - Benefits for Carers (and those they care for) contains further details of PIP and current details of DLA and Attendance Allowance. This Fact Sheet generally provides information on national and local transport services for people with disabilities and advice on claiming fares in appropriate circumstances. Local Services Blue Car Badges If you have a permanent disability and travel by car either as a driver or passenger you may be eligible for a Blue Badge which will allow you to park closer to your destination in special parking bays. To find out if you are eligible or to apply for a Blue Badge contact the City Council at the address below. An application form can be completed on line or downloaded from the website and submitted. Tel: parking@brighton-hove.gov.uk Website: Address: Brighton & Hove City Council, Blue Badge & Parking Information Centre, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ Bluebird Society for the Disabled Residents of Hove and Portslade, who are mobility impaired, may join the Society and benefit from its outings and clubs. The charity has mini-buses and cars which can accommodate wheelchair passengers and has wheelchairs for short-term hire. It also provides transport for people to medical appointments for a moderate charge. Tel: bluebird.hove@googl .com Website: Address: 176 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5QN British Red Cross The British Red Cross operates a social transport service with volunteer drivers for people with mobility problems who cannot use public transport. You can use 2

3 this service for medical appointments and essential daily needs. Contributions to cost, based on mileage, will be requested. Tel: Website: Community Transport (Brighton, Hove and Area) Ltd Community Transport operates a fleet of accessible minibuses that have passenger lifts and can accommodate wheelchairs. They provide fare paying door to door transport services for people, including people in wheelchairs, who find it difficult or impossible to get on and off normal buses. Services include: Easy Link shopping buses to a local supermarket or shopping centre. Special Buses to shopping destinations further afield. An Easy Link Lunch Club. An Easy Link Cinema Club. For more information on these services or to book: Tel: easylink@bhct.co.uk Website: Federation Centre for Independent Living The Federation promotes independent living for all. It provides information, advice and support on all disability related matters, including transport and access to facilities. There is a drop-in service, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm. There is also a Shopmobility, which caters for wheelchair and scooter hire. Tel: info@thefedonline.org.uk Website: Address: Montague House, Montague Place, Brighton BN2 1JE Tel: (Shopmobility) shopmobility@thefedonline.org.uk Address: Churchill Square, Car Park1, Parking Level P3, Regency Road, Brighton BN1 2RF Patient Transport Service The non-urgent Patient Transport Service (PTS) is provided for journeys to and/or from hospitals of the Brighton and Sussex University (BSUH) Hospitals NHS Trust for patients who have a clinical need. The South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides the patient transport. Transport should be booked by contacting the Trust s Patient Transport Bureau who will assess the need and determine eligibility. Tel: transport.bureau@bsuh.nhs.uk. 3

4 Note: If you are unable to use private or public transport for medical reasons and you need to get to another NHS hospital or clinic for treatment, even if your appointment is in London, ask the GP referring you, or making the appointment for you, to request transport. If you do not qualify for transport on medical grounds the British Red Cross or St John Ambulance services shown in this section may be able to help. St John Ambulance St. John Ambulance runs patient transport services to and from hospitals, clinics, medical facilities and care homes for non-emergency appointments. It also operates long distance services. Services are provided through local branches. Tel: Website: Taxis Taxis are an alternative, but they are expensive for long journeys. A number of taxi companies in the Brighton and Hove area have wheelchair accessible taxis. These are often the large London cabs with a moveable ramp to allow access. You may need to book in advance or be prepared to wait for these taxis. Taxi Vouchers Residents of Brighton and Hove receiving certain disability benefits or certified by a doctor as unable to use buses can get 70 worth of taxi vouchers per year, if they are willing to forego their national bus pass.the scheme is run by the City Council. To apply for vouchers you should ask for an application pack to be posted to you by telephoning, ing or completing the request form on the website (see below for contact details). Tel: buspasses@brighton-hove.gov.uk Website: Taxi companies currently taking part in the scheme are: Brighton and Hove City Cabs Provide a range of modern vehicles with disabled and wheelchair access. Quotes can be obtained and bookings made in advance including online. Tel: info@ com Website: Brighton and Hove Radio Cabs Have wheelchair accessible vehicles available. Quotes can be obtained and bookings made in advance including online. Tel: bookings@brightontaxis.com Website: 4

5 Brighton and Hove Streamline Taxis Have many wheelchair accessible vehicles. Taxis may be booked in advance. Tel: or Website: Carcabs Have wheelchair accessible vehicles available. Quotes can be obtained and bookings made in advance including online. Tel: Website: South Coast Taxis Have wheelchair accessible vehicles available. Quotes can be obtained and bookings made in advance including online. Tel: : Website: Taxi Link Some taxis are wheelchair accessible. Quotes can be obtained online. Tel: Website: The Grace Eyre Foundation - Travel Buddy Scheme The aim of this scheme is to help people with learning difficulties travel on public transport with support. A Travel Buddy enables a person to learn the skills that are essential to using public transport and travelling independently in a safe manner. A group skills course may be attended earlier to build up confidence and knowledge. Tel: activelives@grace-eyre.org Website: Address: 36 Montefiore Road, Hove BN3 6EP National Services AA The AA provides a disability helpline, a breakdown service for disabled members and a useful Disabled Travellers Guide, which can be downloaded from the website. Tel: (Helpline) Website: Buses Bus travel is free to National Bus Pass holders from 9.30am to 11.00pm on weekdays and anytime at weekends and bank holidays anywhere in England 5

6 subject to conditions of use. (Bus passes issued by the City Council to its residents allow travel within Brighton and Hove from 9.00am to 4.00am on weekdays). National Bus Passes are for those: of pensionable age aged 5 years or over and have a qualifying disability aged 18 years or over and not permitted to drive because of a medical condition. You will be required to show your pass to the driver when getting on the bus. Only holders of valid passes will be able to travel free. To apply for a Bus Pass download an application form from the website or request a form to be posted to you by telephoning or ing as below. Return your application form by calling in person with the necessary proof of age, disability or medical condition to the address given below. Tel: buspasses@brighton-hove.gov.uk Website: Address: Brighton & Hove City Council, Customer Service Centre, Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square, Brighton BN1 1JP (Open weekdays 8.45am pm). Disabled Motoring UK This is a charity providing mobility information and advice for disabled drivers, passengers and the general public. Information covers motoring, Blue Badges, wheelchairs, insurance etc. The organisation has a monthly magazine. Membership costs 24 per year for one person and 36 for joint membership. Members get discounts from a range of companies. Tel: info@disabledmotoring.org Website: Motability The Motability Scheme enables people who receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA or the Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of PIP to lease a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter. Tel: Website: Trains People with disability may qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard. This allows the person concerned and an adult companion to get a third off most rail fares throughout Great Britain. A one year card costs 20 and a three year card costs 54. A person must provide proof of eligibility and may qualify if having a visual impairment, a hearing impairment or epilepsy or through being in receipt of a disability related benefit. Application can be made online or an application form 6

7 can be downloaded from the website (see below), completed and sent by post. For more information: Tel: Minicom: Website: Address: Disabled Persons Railcard Office, PO Box 11631, Laurencekirk, AB30 9AA. Claiming Fares Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme You may be able to claim a refund under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) of the cost of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for NHSfunded treatment or diagnostic tests arranged by a doctor or dentist. If you (or a partner) are receiving one of the qualifying benefits (Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or have a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate or are awarded Universal Credit, you are entitled to claim your fares to hospital for treatment. If you are not claiming any of the above benefits, but you are on a low income, you may be able to get help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. You will need to complete and submit form HC1 to apply for full or partial help with the cost of hospital fares. The form can be obtained from: NHS hospitals Jobcentre Plus offices some GP surgeries, dentists and opticians online at If your application is successful you will be given an HC2 Certificate (for full help) or an HC3 Certificate (for partial help). You can also claim the travel costs of an escort if it is necessary for you to have someone with you for medical reasons. You should use the cheapest available transport using public transport where possible. Hospitals and NHS units should have someone who deals specifically with reimbursing fares. For example, at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and Brighton General Hospital you need to go to the Cashier s Office. You will need to show your evidence of benefit (e.g. an award letter) or your Tax Credit Exemption Certificate or your HC2 or HC3 Certificate, your hospital appointment letter or card and your bus ticket or receipt for the fare you have 7

8 paid. You will be given your money straight away. If you travel by car you will receive the estimated cost of fuel and unavoidable car parking costs. If you have already made your journey and want to claim a refund of travel costs you will need to complete form HC5. This can be obtained from: NHS hospitals Jobcentre Plus offices online at The claim form must be returned to the address provided within three months of paying your fares. Further information is contained in Leaflet HC11 Help with health costs, which can be downloaded from the website ww.nhs.uk Other Hospital Information If you are receiving one of the qualifying benefits indicated above you may be able to get help with your fares to visit someone who is ill in hospital. Further information about this assistance can be obtained from Jobcentre Plus offices. If you do not qualify for this, help with fares for visiting someone may be available from some charities, hospital endowment funds etc. Hospital social workers may be able to provide more information in this regard. Patients of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath carrying an appointment letter or card are entitled to travel on the 40 or 40X buses free of charge between the two hospitals. Bus drivers will also accept one carer with a patient in possession of an appointment letter or card. Patients regularly going to hospital can register with BSUH Trust s Patient Transport Bureau for a special pass (for contact details see under Patient Transport Services). For bus service enquiries: Tel: Website: If you care for someone who is at the Newhaven Rehabilitation Centre bus service 12 passes nearby get off at the Kwik Fit Garage stop and it is a short walk. Bus service enquiries to Brighton and Hove Buses: Tel: Website: Rehabilitation Centre Tel: or Hospital Parking Reduced price weekly or monthly parking permits can be obtained for BSUH NHS Trust s hospitals. Contact the Trust s Transport Bureau at the Royal Sussex County Hospital for details see under Patient Transport Service. 8

9 Travel to Work and School Fares to Work People who are disabled or have certain health conditions and who are unable to use public transport may be able to get help with the cost of travel to work. For more details get in touch with Jobcentre Plus Access to Work Contact Centre, London (for South East England), Tel: Transport to School Children aged 5 years and over travelling more than two miles to school, or children aged 8 years or over travelling more than three miles, get free transport provided by the City Council. Application can also be made for children with disabilities or special needs to get help with fares regardless of the distance they travel to school. Transport application forms can be obtained from the City Council. Tel: hometoschooltransport@brighton-hove.gov.uk Website: Useful Telephone Numbers Jobcentre Plus Brighton & Hove City Council General Enquiries Adult Social Care Access Point