Full list of who qualifies for free bus pass ahead of DWP rule change

HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of who qualifies for free bus pass ahead of an upcoming DWP rule change.

Disabled or elderly people could be entitled to free bus travel, depending on their age and circumstances.

Yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed a huge shake-up to the UK's welfare system.

This includes tightening restrictions around who can claim Personal Independence Payments, a benefit designed to support those with health conditions.

As part of the changes, applicants will need to score a minimum of four points in at least one specific daily living activity to qualify for the benefit.

This is in comparison to the current system, which allows individuals to qualify with a lower overall score spread across multiple activities.

As a result, some existing PIP recipients, as well as new applicants, may no longer meet the eligibility requirements and could lose access to the benefit.

With that in mind, it is important to be aware of who qualifies for a bus pass to avoid missing out on help.

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
• Have a severe learning disability
• Have been refused a driving licence because of your health (but not because of problems with drugs or alcohol)

You need to apply for the support through your local council and you will need to show proof of your disability.

More often than not you will have a choice of ways to prove that you qualify.

This can include a letter from a doctor or proof you are claiming benefits such Disability Living Allowance or PIP.

It may be worth ringing up your local council ahead of time to see what evidence you need to submit.

You can find out what your local council is by vising, www.gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass.

Another way to qualify for a free bus pass is if you reach state pension age, which is 66.

You can apply up to 30 days before your state pension age and your card will be posted to you on or before this date.

Again you will need to apply for the card through your local council.

To apply for your bus pass using our online form you'll need to provide proof of ID such as a passport and address.

You can apply online or some council offer you a paper form which you can fill out.

OTHER CHANGES TO BENEFITS SYSTEM

The Chancellorconfirmed a raft of changes to the benefits system yesterday.

The changes outlined last week when the Department for Work andPensions(DWP) released its Pathways to Work green paper, but were confirmed by the government in theSpring Statement.

The government has said it will merge jobseekers' allowance and employment support allowance, where people who have worked get more than those who have not.

Elsewhere, the Work Capability Assessment, which determines whether someone is deemed fit for work or has limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA), will be scrapped by 2028.

Instead the DWP will use the PIP assessment to assess entitlement for any Universal Credit health supplements.

While current LCWRA claimants will retain their current health element (£416.19 per month) and benefit from a standard allowance rise, new claimants will receive half of this amount from April 2026 (£208 a month).

The government also said it would launch a Right to Work Guarantee”, allowing unemployed individuals to attempt returning to work without losing benefits if they find it unsustainable.

Check out our article here to see how you will be impacted.