Travel costs
Always get a full benefit check to determine which benefits you are entitled to and the amounts you should receive. Then use the checklist below for ideas for help with travel costs.
This checklist is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the benefits or help for which you might qualify and is not a full statement of the law. Get specialist advice where appropriate.
If you are an older person
Your circumstances | What to check | More information |
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If you live in England | If you are of state pension age you can claim a free bus pass. | GOV.UK:
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If you live in London | You can claim free travel in London from the age of 60. | Transport for London:
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If you live in Wales | You can claim a bus pass from the age of 60. You may also qualify for help with the cost of rail travel. | GOV.WALES:
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If you live in Scotland | Apply for a national entitlement card which gives free bus travel within Scotland if you are over 60 or have a disability. | Transport.gov.scot:
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If you are disabled
See
If you are a young person
Your circumstances | What to check | More information |
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Help with the cost of travel to school | Check if your child can get help with school transport. | GOV.UK:
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Help with national rail travel | Check what help children and young people can get with the cost of rail travel. | National Rail:
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If you live in Scotland | Young Scot card gives free bus travel for young people aged under 22, and reduced cost rail and ferry fares for young people aged 16-18. | Young Scot:
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If you live in Wales | If you are between 16 and 21 you can apply for a travel pass giving a third off the cost of bus travel. | GOV.WALES:
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In some circumstances, rail travel is free for young people aged under 16. | Transport for Wales:
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If you live in England | Check your local authority and local bus company websites to see if you can get help with the cost of bus travel. | GOV.UK:
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If you live in London | Check what free or discounted travel children and young people can get. | Transport for London:
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If you are travelling to job interviews, training, or starting work
See also
Your circumstances | What to check | More information |
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If you are looking for work | Check whether you are eligible for a Jobcentre Plus travel discount card, which entitles you to a 50% reduction on selected rail fares, and on other public transport in some areas. You qualify if you have been unemployed and claiming UC or JSA for three to nine months if you are aged under 25, or three to 12 months if you are aged 25 or over. You may also qualify if you are claiming other benefits and are ‘actively engaged’ with a Jobcentre Plus adviser. Check with your Jobcentre Plus office. | Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers): Transport for London: |
| Check if you can get help from the Flexible Support Fund. This is a discretionary fund and can help with travel costs such as the cost of travelling to job interviews. Department for Work and Pensions guidance indicates payments from the Flexible Support Fund must be given for travel costs in certain circumstances. Check with your Jobcentre Plus office. | Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers): DWP Operational Guidance: |
If you are travelling to visit a prisoner
Your circumstances | What to check | More information |
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If you need help with prison visits | If you are a partner, close relative or sole visitor of a prisoner you may qualify for help with the cost of travelling to visit them in prison. You must be getting ‘qualifying income’. | Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
GOV.UK:
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If you are travelling to hospital or for NHS treatment
Your circumstances | What to check | More information |
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If you need help with fares to receive NHS treatment | Check if you qualify for help with your fares to hospital or another establishment for NHS treatment. Circumstances in which you may qualify include when: •you are in an exempt group; or •you qualify under the low-income scheme.
| Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):
NHS.uk:
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Last updated on 15 April 2024