Companion Entitlement

If you need a companion to help you use public transport your National Entitlement Card will allow them to travel for free too.

Travelling with a companion can make things much easier. Helping you on and off the bus, carrying shopping or communicating with the driver helps maintain the freedom you get with the National Entitlement Card.

If you have this symbol on your card, you're entitled to have a companion travel with you, on the same journey, for free. Your companion and journey can vary but your companion can only travel for free when they are with you. You are not obliged to travel with a companion but the entitlement is there for when you need it.

Eligibility

Your companion is entitled to travel for free if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You receive the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
• You receive the standard or enhanced rate of daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
• You receive Attendance Allowance
• You are registered blind
• You live in a care or residential home and receive the higher or middle rate of the care component Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance.

Evidence letters

If you receive Attendance Allowance, the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance under the higher/middle rate of care or live in a care or residential home or hospital, you'll need a letter to confirm your elegibility. For details on getting your letter, please contact the Disability benefits helpline.

If you are registered blind, please provide a copy of your blind registration certificate.

Apply

When you apply for your National Entitlement Card please also bring evidence of your need to travel with a companion. That may be an award notice letter from the Department of Work and Pensions or a copy of your blind registration certificate.

Applying for a National Entitlement Card