Disabled Person's Freedom Pass

Please be aware, a fake website for freedom passes has been reported to the National Cyber Security Centre.

If you need to update the contact details on a disabled person's freedom pass, please send an email to this address only: info@freedompass.org, no other email address is valid. Visit the change of details freedom pass page.

If you want to apply for a disabled person's freedom pass, only use the information below on this page.

What is a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass

A Disabled Person's Freedom Pass allows you to travel on local bus services across England.

In London, it also allows you to travel on: 

• London Underground
• Docklands Light Railway
• Croydon Tramlink
• National Rail trains after 9:30am (no time restrictions apply on weekends and public holidays)

Who is eligible

A freedom pass is issued to people who:

• are blind or partially sighted
• are profoundly or severely deaf in both ears
• are unable to speak
• have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has left you with a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk
• do not have arms or have a long-term loss of the use of both arms
• have a severe learning disability that is defined as no or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
• have been, or would be refused a driving licence because of your disability or condition, provided this is not due to persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

Discretionary passes

If you're aged between 18 and 59, and do not meet the criteria for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass, we may still be able to offer you a discretionary pass. You must:

• have either a physical disability or a severe mental illness
• be supported by Croydon social services or Croydon SLaM (South London and Maudsley) services
• be able to use your pass to achieve your care plan outcomes

A discretionary pass cannot be used outside of London, and it will become invalid if you move outside of Croydon.

Current processing times

The application processing time is 18 weeks before we start an assessment.

The time may vary depending on the volume and complexity of applications coming into the service. 

If you have made an application and have waited beyond the processing time, please email travel.service@croydon.gov.uk and provide your full name and date of birth and we can update you on your likely wait time or progress with your application. 

Please be aware, we cannot take responsibility for any travel or other expenses that you incur whilst your application is being processed, regardless of the outcome of your application. If your application is refused and you decide to appeal the our decision, you will not be reimbursed by the council for travel or other expenses incurred during the appeals process, regardless of the outcome of the appeal. 

What happens when I apply

The process for reaching a decision on your disabled persons freedom pass application can be found in our concessionary travel assessment policy.

Apply for a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass

Apply now
 

Or you can request an application form from  travel.service@croydon.gov.uk, please include your name, telephone number and full postal address. Once you complete the form you can post it to the address advised on the form.

You will be required to provide the following evidence to support your application:

• Proof of address, for example current council tax letter, current rent letter or statement, current TV licence, Utility bill within last 3 months, HMRC or DWP letter dated in last 3 months. We do not accept bank or mobile phone statements.
• Proof of identity, for example current passport, birth certificate, driving licence, letter of state pension entitlement or European ID card.
• A passport standard photograph on a plain light background (for example, white or cream), head and shoulders, taken in the last 12 months and no other person in the picture. Digital pictures taken on a smart phone are acceptable. 
• Evidence of eligibility, please read the relevant fact sheet under the above “Who is eligible” section as the evidence required will depend on your disability. 
  To help process your application, please provide the evidence in the correct order and in one PDF or Word document.

To help process your application, provide the evidence in the correct order and in one PDF or Word document.

Appeals

If your application is refused, we will write to you to confirm our decision and advise you on your right of appeal and how to exercise this right. You can find more information you can see our appeals process.