Disabled person's railcard

1 What the county council offers

We can reimburse the cost of purchasing either a one-year or three-year disabled person's railcard which can save you:

• a third off rail travel for you and a friend, with no time restrictions
• the cost of buying a railcard yourself

Or the county council offers:

• bus passes for older people, providing free bus travel for West Sussex residents of State Pension age
• bus passes for people with a disability, providing free bus travel

• If you already have a bus pass and would prefer to have a railcard, you will need to return your bus pass to us.
• If we reimburse you for your railcard and you later decide you would prefer a bus pass, you will need to wait until your railcard has expired before making an application. This is because the council will only fund one concession at any one time.

2 Eligibility and proof of disability

The rail company has its own set of eligibility criteria for a disabled person's railcard.

For example, you may qualify if you:

• receive disability-related benefits, including a Personal Independence Payment
• have a hearing or visual impairment
• have epilepsy

More eligibility criteria and information about what you need to provide as evidence can be found on the Disabled Persons Railcard website.

Before we reimburse the cost of a railcard we will check to make sure you qualify for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. As the eligibility criteria are slightly different not everybody who is eligible for a railcard will be eligible to have it reimbursed as part of this scheme. We will also need to check that you live in West Sussex. This is particularly important as neighbouring local authorities do not offer the same benefit to their own residents.

3 Apply for a disabled persons' railcard

For new applications

Step 1. Download, print and complete the application form:

Step 2. Attach copies of the supporting evidence (a photograph is not required for railcard applications).

Step 3: Post everything to:

West Sussex Bus Pass (Disabled Person's Railcard)
PO Box 212
Waterlooville
Hants
PO7 6ZN

Step 4: Once your eligibility for the scheme has been confirmed you can submit your railcard receipt for reimbursement.

Send your receipt by email to: buspass@westsussex.gov.uk.

For renewal applications

Submit your railcard receipt by email to buspass@westsussex.gov.uk.

We will contact you if we require up-to-date evidence of your eligibility.

4 Renewing or updating your disabled person's railcard

If you wish to renew your railcard when it expires, we will need to check that you remain eligible for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme in West Sussex and may ask for up-to-date proof of eligibility before reimbursing you for your new disabled person’s railcard.

The council does not record the expiry date of your railcard and will not therefore send out a reminder to renew it.

5 Replacing a lost, damaged or stolen railcard

The county council cannot replace lost, damaged or stolen railcards - this is handled by the rail company.

You can find out about the process on the Disabled Persons Railcard website.

6 Contact details

If you need help or advice contact the Bus Pass Information helpline, who can also advise about railcards.

7 Buying a railcard yourself

If you do not want to relinquish your free county council bus pass to get a disabled person's railcard you can buy one yourself. They cost around £20 for a year or £54 for 3 years.

You can obtain one through National Rail's Disabled Persons Railcard website, either by applying online or in writing.

Some district and borough councils offer their residents additional help with these though, so it is worth checking with your local council first.