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Bus passes

Disabled person's bus pass

Eligibility

You're automatically eligible for a disabled person's bus pass if you're getting:

the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a score of 8 points or more for 'moving around' or 'communicating verbally'
War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement

If you're not getting any of those benefits, you're still eligible if:

you're blind or partially-sighted, deaf, or unable to speak
you cannot walk very far because of a disability, illness, or injury
you do not have arms or you cannot 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)

Your disability must be permanent, have lasted at least 12 months, or be likely to last at least 12 months.

Providing evidence

You'll need to provide documents to prove you're eligible for a bus pass.

You must use two different documents to prove both your address and date of birth. You cannot use the same document.

Address

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You'll need a document which shows you live in Middlesbrough. It must have your current address on.

Examples include: utility bill or driving licence.

Date of birth

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You'll need a document which shows your date of birth.

Examples include: birth certificate, passport, driving licence, or prescription.

Benefits

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You'll need to provide evidence of the benefits you're getting. Please note, you can only upload one page of evidence when you apply. If you need to provide more than one page of evidence, please email the other pages to us at concessionaryfares@middlesbrough.gov.uk. You'll need to put your name and date of birth in the email.

Higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

You'll need to provide your letter from the DWP, showing the higher rate component and the expiry date.

Personal Independence Payment

You'll need to provide your letter from the DWP, showing the points awarded and the expiry date.

War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement

You'll need to provide your letter from the DWP.

Disabilities

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You'll need to provide evidence of your disability. The disabled bus pass application form explains which evidence you'll need to provide.

Your doctor may charge you a fee if they have to provide evidence or a statement. Doctors have the right to do this. We cannot control how much they charge, and we cannot refund you if you've been charged.

Apply

The easiest way to apply for a bus pass is online.

Apply for a disabled person's bus pass

If you cannot provide evidence or you're not getting any of those benefits, we'll need to do an assessment to check whether you're eligible. This may involve a face-to-face assessment with an assessor.

Assessments can take an average of 6 weeks to complete.

If you'd like to be assessed for a disabled person's bus pass you can download a disabled bus pass application form. You can post it back to the address on the form, or send it via email to concessionaryfares@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

If you're struggling to use the online form or need some help, you can email concessionaryfares@middlesbrough.gov.uk or call 01642 726053. You can also use these details to contact us if you'd like an update on your application.

Companion pass

If you cannot travel without someone else's help, you can apply for bus pass with a 'companion entitlement'. This will let a companion travel with you for free, in the Tees Valley and the north east.

You can apply for a companion pass as part of your application for a disabled bus pass.

Renewing a permanent bus pass

If you have a permanent disabled pass, you can renew it by phone. Please call us on 01642 726053.

Renewing a non-permanent bus pass

If you have a non-permanent disabled pass, you'll need to re-apply. You can do this 28 days before your pass expires.

You can re-apply using the disabled bus pass application form.

If we approve your application, you will not need to have your photo taken or give proof of your address and identity again.

Problems with your bus pass

Older person's bus pass