Apply for a Disabled Person's with Companion Travel Card

You could be eligible if you have;

1.  Challenging behaviours, who need to be supervised at all times

2.  Severe cognitive and mental impairments (including people who have no awareness of risk and limited
     ability to plan and follow a journey)

3.  Combination of either
     a)   visual and hearing loss that prevents independent mobility  or
     b)   visual and speech loss that prevents independent mobility

4.  Difficulties using a wheelchair independently

If you can answer YES to at least one of the above then you qualify to be assessed for a Disabled Person's with Companion Concessionary Travel Card.  You can make an application by following the instructions under 'How to apply' and 'Evidence required for your application' 

If you cannot answer YES to any of the above, unfortunately you do not currently meet the criteria for a Disabled Person's with Companion Concessionary Travel Card. 

How to apply

If any of the above mentioned criteria applies to you, please email the Integrated Transport Unit to request a Disabled Person's with Companion Concessionary Travel Card assessment form and provide the following information:

the criteria that best describes your disability

name, home address and date of birth

(If these details are not provided unfortunately we will be unable to send the assessment form to you)

The assessment form will be posted to your home address within 10 days of your request.

Evidence required for your application

Proof of Date of Birth

You will need to provide any one of the following documents
Birth Certificate
Current Passport
Current Driving Licence

Proof of Address

You will need to provide any two of the following documents

Aged 17 or Over: 
Council Tax Bill or Evidence of Exemption
Letter from Department of Work & Pensions
Letter from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (documents must relate to the current financial year)
Current Driving Licence
Proof of Rent Payments (dated within the last 3 months)
Utility Bill (not including mobile telephone)
Confirmation that the applicant is on the Electoral Roll for UK Parliamentary elections
Confirmation that the applicant is on the School Roll
Evidence that the applicant is a dependent of a person resident in the authority’s area
Evidence that the applicant is in the care of the local authority or an approved agency and is resident in the authority’s area
Evidence that the applicant has a permanent registration with a local GP
Evidence of Home Office documentation confirming residency

Aged 16 or Under: 
Current Child Benefit
Child Tax Credit award letter
Universal Credit award letter
Letter from Department of Work & Pensions (documents must relate to the current financial year)
Medical Card as evidence of permanent registration with a local GP
Confirmation that the applicant is on the School Roll
Evidence that the applicant is a dependent of a person resident in the authority’s area
Evidence that the applicant is in the care of the local authority or an approved agency and is resident in the authority’s area
Evidence of Home Office documentation confirming residency

Passport Approved Colour Photograph

You will need to provide one colour photograph, please ensure that it meets the following criteria:

A recent colour photograph which is a true likeness of yourself
Taken against a light grey, cream or white background
You must be facing forward and looking straight at the camera
The photograph must show your full face
The photograph must be in sharp focus with a strong definition between face and background
Where possible it is preferable to remove glasses.  However if they must be worn for medical reasons they should not cover the eye, should be free from reflection or glare and must not be tinted

National Insurance Number

You will need to provide your National Insurance Number

All of the above evidence must be provided otherwise we will not be able to proceed with your application

Once you have received and completed the form for a Disabled Person's with Companion Concessionary Travel Card please post it to:

First Response
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Tŷ Elai
Dinas Isaf East
Williamstown
Tonypandy
Rhondda Cynon Taf
CF40 1NY

For further information regarding the assessment process please view the frequently asked questions below.

What happens once the Council has completed the assessment?

Once your assessment has been completed we will only notify you if it has been declined.  If your assessment was accepted we will request your travel card from Transport for Wales, which will be posted to your home address. Please note: if you are in possesion of a current travel card this will be cancelled when we request your Disabed Person's with Companion Travel Card from Transport for Wales and from the date the card is requested it can take up to 10 working days for the card to be received.

I have received my Disabled Person's with Companion Concessionary Travel Card – what happens with my old Travel Card?   

Your Disabled Person's with Companion Concessionary Travel Card is the only card that is valid for travel and you are advised to destroy any previous Travel Cards you have in your possession.  If you require clarification on which is your valid Travel Card, please telephone 0300 303 4240 or email: travelcards@tfw.wales and supply the serial numbers on the front of your Travel Cards.

What if I am unhappy with the outcome of my assessment?

The Council would have undertaken your assessment and taken into account the details that you provided relating to your disability as well as any additional information which you may have enclosed. 

In order to be issued with a Disabled Person's with Companion Concessionary Travel Card, it is emphasised that a person needs to clearly meet one of the criteria outlined below;

1.  Challenging behaviours, who need to be supervised at all times

2.  Severe cognitive and mental impairments (including people who have no awareness of risk and limited
     ability to plan and follow a journey)    

3.  Combination of either
     a)   visual and hearing loss that prevents independent mobility  or
     b)   visual and speech loss that prevents independent mobility

4.  Difficulties using a wheelchair independently

After considering all of the above criteria and information, if you are unhappy with the decision made regarding the assessment of your Disabled Person's with Companion Concessionary Travel Card you can challenge the decision.  However in doing so, you would need to indicate the grounds on which you wish to appeal and also provide further evidence that was not known at the time of your assessment.  This information should be forwarded in writing to: