The Alternative Allowance is paid as a cash sum direct into your nominated bank account. The money can be used for any transport related costs that you have to pay.
There are no limits on the time of day that you travel or the overall cost of your travel. Also you do not need to supply us with any receipts for the journeys you have taken.
What is the value of the Alternative Allowance?
There are 2 levels for the Allowance:
The value of the Allowance is reduced by 25% at the start of each new quarter of the year. For example, from 1 July in any year the universal £40 issue will be reduced to £30. This will be further reduced to £20 from 1 October and the £10 from 1 January.
How long is the Allowance awarded for?
The Allowance is awarded for each financial year that you qualify. Our financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March. You will be contacted around February each year about renewing your claim for the following financial year.
What do you mean by ‘Means Tested’?
If you are on a limited income you can apply for an additional ‘Means Tested’ issue of the Alternative Allowance. This will double the value of the Alternative Allowance that you receive.
Applicants who wish to claim the Means Tested issue will need to show their latest award letter from our Benefits Service or from Department of Work and Pensions to show they currently receive one of the following types of benefit income:
-
Housing Benefit
-
Council Tax Benefit
-
Pension Guarantee Credit
-
Attendance Allowance
-
Incapacity Benefit
-
Disability Living Allowance
- Mobility Allowance
- Carers Allowance
What do you mean by ‘disabled’ and what proof will I need to show?
Disabled eligibility will be granted automatically where the applicant:
- Is in receipt of the High Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or the Higher Rate of Attendance Allowance from the DWP (Department of Work and Pensions)
- Is sight-impaired, either blind or partially sighted and can prove they are registered with the local authority community care department or can provide a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) signed by a Consultant Ophthalmologist or a letter from the Wokingham Borough Council Sensory Needs Service, Visual Impairment Team confirming disability registration as blind or partially sighted.
- Is profoundly or severely deaf and can prove they are registered with the local authority community care department, or able to supply a current report from an aural specialist.
- In receipt of the War Pensions Mobility Supplement and provide a current award notice from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.
Where the applicant does not meet the above criteria, eligibility may also be granted if the applicant:
-
Is deaf with or without speech and known to the Deaf Services Team, by contacting the Wokingham Borough Council Sensory Needs Service, Deaf Services Team to confirm their disability or by providing a letter on headed paper from a qualified medical professional saying that the applicant is without speech in any language.
-
Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms and provides a letter on headed paper from a qualified medical professional confirming the loss of use of both arms.
-
Has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning. Disability must have started before adulthood and the applicant is registered, received or receiving specialist education at a Special Educational Needs School. Please provide a letter on headed paper from the Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities (CTPLD) or from a qualified medical professional confirming a learning disability before adulthood.
-
Is unable to drive for medical reasons, but not on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol. Provide a letter from the DVLA confirming notice of withdrawal of licence (not including voluntary withdrawal) or a letter on headed paper from a qualified medical professional confirming that a medical condition prevents driving or the issue of a licence.
-
Has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk. Provide a letter on headed paper from a qualified medical professional confirming that the applicant cannot walk for distances up to 100 metres without stopping, suffering severe discomfort or without help from another person.
If you apply for the Alternative Allowance as a disabled person you will need to show us current documentary proof that you meet at least one of the definitions above (full details are on the application form).
What if I can’t travel alone – can someone travel with me?
If you have the Alternative Allowance but are unable to travel without someone helping you, you can also apply for a Companion Issue. The Companion Issue will be the same value as you receive yourself. So if you qualify for £40 yourself, you will be given £80 in total. If you wish to apply for a Companion Issue you will need to show us proof that:
-
You receive the Higher Rate Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance;
-
You receive the Higher or Middle Rate Care component of Disability Living Allowance;
- You receive the Higher Rate of Attendance Allowance (for those aged 65 or over);
-
You receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement or a War or Service Disablement Pension for a disability of 80 per cent or more;
-
You have a letter from your GP or Registered Social Worker to confirm that you are unable to travel alone. Your GP may charge for providing this letter and if so you will have to pay this bill
How do I apply for the Alternative Allowance?
- Complete our Concessionary Fares Application Form which you can download or
- Collect a form from the Cashiers Office at our main Council Offices at Shute End, Wokingham or
- Collect a form from Earley Town Council Offices, Radstock Lane, Earley – The office is open 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm Monday to Friday.
Everyone who meets the age or disability criteria automatically qualifies for the Universal issue. You will need to complete a Concessionary Fares application form and you must also show suitable proof of your name, age, address, disability and Means Test (if appropriate).
Do I have to apply in person?
No - the whole process can be completed by post if you prefer. Simply obtain an application form, complete it and send it to the Concessionary Travel Team, Council Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1WJ.
Remember to send any required proofs with your completed form. Any proofs that are required are described on the form.
Any proofs that you send in with your form will be returned to you. You will also be notified when your Alternative Allowance is paid to your bank account.
How do I re-apply for the Alternative Allowance each year?
An application form and full details about the next year's Allowance will be sent to you in late February or early March each year. You will have to complete the application form and follow all of the instructions in the pack about getting your next Allowance.
