Disabled Railcard - crteria review

[wintonian]

Had an email this afternoon containing the following paragraph

~Railcard qualifying criteria review

A review of the qualifying criteria we use for new Disabled Persons Railcard
applications is underway following the Government?s decision to replace
the Disability Living Allowance with Personal Independence Payments. If you
already have a Railcard, the new criteria will not affect you as long as you
keep
renewing your card. The revised qualifying criteria for the Disabled Persons
Railcard
will be published online and in the Disabled Persons Railcard leaflet from
May 2013 To renew online and for more details, see below

Just thought people might like to be aware and I'm aware that there are a few other people around here with one.

 

[Nym]

Wonder if this means that they'll actually change it to be those who class themselves as having a disability as confirmed by a GP, rather than those who qualify for what used to be DLA. DLA seemed to have very little bearing on disability as no-one I know with one that is a non-traditional disability that is under the age of 50 can get it...

 

[wintonian]

My understanding was the PIP comes in next month so what new applicants are going to do between the end of the month and when they decide what criteria to use I don't know, unless they are also registered deaf or blind for example.

 

[Broken Viking]

It seems that RTME have their own view of what constitutes a "disability" at present. :roll:
Both my Doctor and a few other professionals who know me agree that I have a disability sufficient to warrant the issue of a DPR, yet RTME have refused to issue me one. Appeals to RTME and ATOC havn't changed that, either. ad:

I can't fully understand what Nym is saying in his/her post (I can't interpret stuff too well at times) but is this change likely to widen or narrow the scope of those who'd qualify for a DPR?

Cheers for any gen!

 

[richw]

Anyone over 65 can not make a new DLA claim, although if they were claiming before they were 65 their benefit continues.
if someone over 65 is disabled are they eligible for a disabled card?

 

[IanD]

Anyone over 65 can not make a new DLA claim, although if they were claiming before they were 65 their benefit continues.
if someone over 65 is disabled are they eligible for a disabled card?

There's no upper age limit on the disabled railcard. (At the moment!)

 

[crispy1978]

So - basically, if you already have a disabled railcard, there's no effect on renewing them? My wife has one (and receives DLA), which she relies on quite heavily.

 

[Nym]

I can't fully understand what Nym is saying in his/her post (I can't interpret stuff too well at times) but is this change likely to widen or narrow the scope of those who'd qualify for a DPR?

I'm being bitter that someone close to me is suffering from two terminal life limiting conditions. Under the conditions of DLA is entitled to it, but even after three appeals will not say yes.

 

[richw]

There's no upper age limit on the disabled railcard. (At the moment!)

Although those over 65 can only claim though if they are deaf or visually impaired, or epiletic, as someone who becomes disabled over the age of 65 can not claim DLA. If they were claiming prior to being aged 65 it contines, but an over 65 can not make a new claim. Therefore someone over 65 who develops a disability but doesnt lose their sight, hearing, or develop epilepsy wont be eligible.

 

[IanD]

Although those over 65 can only claim though if they are deaf or visually impaired, or epiletic, as someone who becomes disabled over the age of 65 can not claim DLA. If they were claiming prior to being aged 65 it contines, but an over 65 can not make a new claim. Therefore someone over 65 who develops a disability but doesnt lose their sight, hearing, or develop epilepsy wont be eligible.

Over 65s can claim attendance allowance instead which is a qualifying criteria for the railcard.

 

[phil8715]

It seems that RTME have their own view of what constitutes a "disability" at present. :roll:
Both my Doctor and a few other professionals who know me agree that I have a disability sufficient to warrant the issue of a DPR, yet RTME have refused to issue me one. Appeals to RTME and ATOC havn't changed that, either. ad:

I can't fully understand what Nym is saying in his/her post (I can't interpret stuff too well at times) but is this change likely to widen or narrow the scope of those who'd qualify for a DPR?

Cheers for any gen!

I'm in the same boat.

I qualify for a Disabled National Concession Bus Pass which I have. But my disability doesn't qualify me for a Disabled Persons railcard which I would have to pay for and pay for train fares aswell. I'm in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the low care rate if I got the middle or high care rate I would be eligible to get one.

If I'm entitled to a Disabled bus pass and that gives me FREE travel on local buses anywhere in England; where I would have thought that the local council would be stricter issuing a FREE pass than a national company making you pay for a 1 year pass with 1/3 off travel. If the Disabled Persons railcard was free or you bought it which entitles you to free travel I could understand why they wouldn't just hand them out willy-nilly.

I think the criteria for issuing a Disabled Persons railcard is a tad harsh, while I do understand just because I have a Disabled National Concession bus pass it doesn't automatically entitle me to get Disabled Persons railcard.

ATOC need to review their criteria.

 

[Chouette]

When do the criteria change?