Disabled Railcard Application Criteria

[pennine]

I wonder if we get an announcement tomorrow given that they have advised end of September

 

[kkong]

It seems that the public announcement of the expanded criteria will be made on Wednesday 30th September.

 

[mikeg]

It seems that the public announcement of the expanded criteria will be made on Wednesday 30th September.

Interesting. Do you know this? Or have you just deduced it given how few days we have left to go?

I'm genuinely curious as to what's in there. I appreciate that for some autistic people (and I've known them) train travel can be a distressing necessity, but for me it's not an issue so I'm not bothered by the fact I wouldn't qualify.
However having had a radical cystectomy and managing a stoma, the one thing I do find it limits significantly is travel. I'm spending more on trains recently as the coach, even if it has a toilet, is not an option for a long distance journey, especially overnight. The trains are manageable, but sometimes can present a challenge. What Lumo did a couple of months ago would have put me an impossible situation. I feel that it limits my life a fair bit, I try not to let it get me down and to find ways around it, but one of the bits it limits the most is using public transport. Even some buses are out. I am pretty sure I couldn't do Leeds to Whitby anymore. I'd simply have to travel by train at significantly increased cost.

 

[tomoufc]

I gave up waiting for ADHD to be included and got a hearing test instead. Mild hearing impairment qualifies you for a hearing aid on the NHS, and therefore a DPRC.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Monday at 14:49 ==

Interesting. Do you know this? Or have you just deduced it given how few days we have left to go?

I'm genuinely curious as to what's in there. I appreciate that for some autistic people (and I've known them) train travel can be a distressing necessity, but for me it's not an issue so I'm not bothered by the fact I wouldn't qualify.
However having had a radical cystectomy and managing a stoma, the one thing I do find it limits significantly is travel. I'm spending more on trains recently as the coach, even if it has a toilet, is not an option for a long distance journey, especially overnight. The trains are manageable, but sometimes can present a challenge. What Lumo did a couple of months ago would have put me an impossible situation. I feel that it limits my life a fair bit, I try not to let it get me down and to find ways around it, but one of the bits it limits the most is using public transport. Even some buses are out. I am pretty sure I couldn't do Leeds to Whitby anymore. I'd simply have to travel by train at significantly increased cost.

So wouldn’t you already qualify? I don’t think their list of disabilities is supposed to be exhaustive. Probably worth calling to check?

 

[AlterEgo]

The existing criteria are really clear, I do not know what could be checked there. The big question is, do you get PIP?

 

[mikeg]

The existing criteria are really clear, I do not know what could be checked there. The big question is, do you get PIP?

I do not get PIP. I just about manage at home, I suppose (well barley actually), though my mental health nurse thinks I should. We're discussing it at our next appointment, but am unsure as to why claiming a benefit should make me any more disabled? A stoma only adds 2 points, though there are things that may give me more. Am unsure as a lot of the points are borderline as to what I'll get.

 

[tomoufc]

I do not get PIP. I just about manage at home, I suppose (well barley actually), though my mental health nurse thinks I should. We're discussing it at our next appointment, but am unsure as to why claiming a benefit should make me any more disabled? A stoma only adds 2 points, though there are things that may give me more. Am unsure as a lot of the points are borderline as to what I'll get.

Others have indicated that they can be very accomodating, if you call them.

 

[Adam Williams]

Others have indicated that they can be very accomodating, if you call them.

They've always been able to apply discretion, yes.

Interesting. Do you know this?

It's a statement I would trust, personally.

 

[Deerfold]

I gave up waiting for ADHD to be included and got a hearing test instead. Mild hearing impairment qualifies you for a hearing aid on the NHS, and therefore a DPRC.

Although it varies by NHS area how easy it is to actually get them. I've had worsening hearing for several years and I think I was borderline for qualifying for aids, having taken about 9 months from first contacting my doctor. They've made a huge difference (and I really noticed when one needed minor maintenance).

 

[Cdd89]

I don't actually think I should be getting a third off rail fares for having ADHD but that's the government's problem to solve.

I intend to apply as soon as the eligibility is further expanded. I have a moderate case of both ADHD and Asperger's (personally I don't think it's that severe but I've been told it is) and, while I hadn't really thought about it before, on reflection I do think this means I incur higher rail costs than other people (I find being in crowds exceptionally unpleasant, so I book first class more often than others might, I take more expensive routes such as the NR1-T fare scales or HEX/GEX more often than someone indifferent to mode would, I am less able to use advance tickets, I end up missing off-peak boundaries through distraction, and I sometimes make "trips in vain" where I incur the rail costs without completing my objective).

Maybe that doesn't apply to you but if you incur higher rail costs, maybe in ways you hadn't thought about, then I don't think you need to feel too guilty about applying! I can see the argument that we shouldn't subsidise someone like me (and presumably you) who can easily afford the costs incurred but the industry has made a conscious decision to expand eligibility in this way.

(Another one I thought of is that I find "physical split ticketing" such as is required on Oyster/PAYG where you must exit and immediately reenter the gateline mid-journey too stressful to be worth it so I don't benefit from the lowest fares on my journeys; I am really not sure how TfL get away with a PAYG system that promises the lowest fares but actually requires physical splits for the lowest fare, and I wonder if they have considered the equalities implications of not applying such splits automatically?)

 

[tomoufc]

Although it varies by NHS area how easy it is to actually get them. I've had worsening hearing for several years and I think I was borderline for qualifying for aids, having taken about 9 months from first contacting my doctor. They've made a huge difference (and I really noticed when one needed minor maintenance).

I had a nightmare getting a referral. I should say that it wasn’t just to get a railcard- I’ve had longstanding hearing issues.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Yesterday at 12:25 ==

I intend to apply as soon as the eligibility is further expanded. I have a moderate case of both ADHD and Asperger's (personally I don't think it's that severe but I've been told it is) and, while I hadn't really thought about it before, on reflection I do think this means I incur higher rail costs than other people (I find being in crowds exceptionally unpleasant, so I book first class more often than others might, I take more expensive routes such as the NR1-T fare scales or HEX/GEX more often than someone indifferent to mode would, I am less able to use advance tickets, I end up missing off-peak boundaries through distraction, and I sometimes make "trips in vain" where I incur the rail costs without completing my objective).

Maybe that doesn't apply to you but if you incur higher rail costs, maybe in ways you hadn't thought about, then I don't think you need to feel too guilty about applying! I can see the argument that we shouldn't subsidise someone like me (and presumably you) who can easily afford the costs incurred but the industry has made a conscious decision to expand eligibility in this way.

(Another one I thought of is that I find "physical split ticketing" such as is required on Oyster/PAYG where you must exit and immediately reenter the gateline mid-journey too stressful to be worth it so I don't benefit from the lowest fares on my journeys; I am really not sure how TfL get away with a PAYG system that promises the lowest fares but actually requires physical splits for the lowest fare, and I wonder if they have considered the equalities implications of not applying such splits automatically?)

Personally, I don’t think anyone should feel guilty for trying to get cheaper fares- they are far too expensive, and in any case there should be a national railcard that anyone can get, like in other countries.

 

[Haywain]

Another one I thought of is that I find "physical split ticketing" such as is required on Oyster/PAYG where you must exit and immediately reenter the gateline mid-journey too stressful to be worth it so I don't benefit from the lowest fares on my journeys;

That makes you a normal person. Hardly anyone does that sort of thing.

I am really not sure how TfL get away with a PAYG system that promises the lowest fares

Do they actually promise that?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Yesterday at 13:29 ==

I had a nightmare getting a referral.

My wife tried for a referral and gave up after waiting a significant amount of time - something over a year, I believe. She's off to Specsavers in a few days, having figured that going private is the only option.

 

[Cdd89]

That makes you a normal person. Hardly anyone does that sort of thing.

Ha, ha.

I agree that any assessor would find it to be risible to the point that it's best left unmentioned, but on this forum of all places? Not splitting is definitely unusual

Do they actually promise that?

From a TfL press release:

Oyster will calculate the cheapest fare for your travel simply by touching in and out on the Tube and Docklands Light Railway.

 

[tomoufc]

My wife tried for a referral and gave up after waiting a significant amount of time - something over a year, I believe. She's off to Specsavers in a few days, having figured that going private is the only option.

Might be still worth going to the NHS appointment when it comes through, otherwise you pay for everything.

 

[david1212]

My wife tried for a referral and gave up after waiting a significant amount of time - something over a year, I believe. She's off to Specsavers in a few days, having figured that going private is the only option.

Do you need a GP referral? There are circumstances where you can self-refer to Specsavers or another provider in the area e.g. Boots, Scrivens.
Unless you specifically ask I doubt any provider will volunteer to supply NHS funded when they can get a private sale.

As a starting point go here then select 'Self-referral', also see here.

 

[Deerfold]

From a TfL press release:

Have they claimed it more recently than 19 years ago?

My wife tried for a referral and gave up after waiting a significant amount of time - something over a year, I believe. She's off to Specsavers in a few days, having figured that going private is the only option.

Be aware that that will be a 4 figure sum she'll be paying. My free NHS aids would be over £1,600 privately. A private provider offered me ones at £5k.

Once I finally got my audiology appointment I returned 2 weeks later to receive the hearing aids.

 

[Edvid]

As per the DP Railcard site:

From 30 September 2026 the eligibility criteria has expanded to include disabilities and conditions that require professional health evidence and more detailed assessment, including some long-term or degenerative medical conditions, and neurodiversity where it has a substantial impact on a person’s ability to travel by train.

Disabled Persons Railcard Eligibility Guide

Check if you’re eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard. Learn updated criteria, accepted benefits, conditions, and required proof to apply online or by post.

www.railcard.co.uk

 

[brad465]

It would be useful to know who can sign off the form where impact on travel is described. I'm guessing a GP wouldn't be qualified, but can a therapist do it? It just so happens I'm near the end of a round of neurodiversity therapy with a small private firm, but would they qualify?

 

[AlterEgo]

Why would a GP not be qualified?

 

[Deerfold]

Why would a GP not be qualified?

I think there's a typo. I suspect "wouldn't" should read "would"

 

[davp]

Why would a GP not be qualified?

Possibly because they're not a specialist. This is the direction taken by the NCT002 form for certifying bus pass eligibility for mental health reasons in Scotland (example form).

I'm sure that most GPs would be more than able to assess this, and I don't see that the new application form prevents them from doing so if they are willing to. GPs can charge for signing forms, whereas if someone is linked in with another relevant healthcare professional they probably won't (unless it's private).

 

[tomoufc]

Possibly because they're not a specialist. This is the direction taken by the NCT002 form for certifying bus pass eligibility for mental health reasons in Scotland (example form).

I'm sure that most GPs would be more than able to assess this, and I don't see that the new application form prevents them from doing so if they are willing to. GPs can charge for signing forms, whereas if someone is linked in with another relevant healthcare professional they probably won't (unless it's private).

I would imagine a GP signature would be fine

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 10:48 ==

As per the DP Railcard site:

Disabled Persons Railcard Eligibility Guide

Check if you’re eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard. Learn updated criteria, accepted benefits, conditions, and required proof to apply online or by post.

www.railcard.co.uk

This is good news. I’m glad the railways are taking a more inclusive view of disability.