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Apply for Free Travel if you do not get it automatically (FT1)

This topic helps you fill in the FT1 Free Travel application form.

Use this topic if you or someone you support:
  • Think you may qualify for the Free Travel Scheme but do not already have Free Travel on your Public Services Card
  • Have been told to complete Form FT1 by the Free Travel Section, Intreo or Citizens Information
  • Are helping a family member or friend to apply

Tip

If you are not sure this is the right form, you can go back to:

Before you begin

The FT1 form has 8 parts.
You will probably only need some of them.

Steps

Open each step below to see:

  • Who completes that part
  • What information to write
  • Any extra actions to take
1. Fill in Part 1 – Your details

Almost everyone will fill in Part 1.

This section is about you, the person applying.

Question 1. Your PPS Number

  • Carefully copy the PPS Number from your Public Services Card, payment letter or Revenue document.

Question 2. Title

  • Put an X in the box for Mr, Mrs, Ms or write another title in the Other box.

Question 3. Surname

  • Write your current family name in block capitals.

Question 4. First names

  • Write all your first names, as shown on your birth certificate or passport.

Question 5. Your birth surname

  • If your surname is different from the name you were born with, write your birth surname here.
  • If it is the same, repeat your surname.

Question 6. Your date of birth

  • Fill in day, month, year using the small boxes.

Question 7. Your address

  • Write your home address in Ireland, one line per row.
  • Include your county and Eircode if you know it.

Question 8. Your telephone number

  • Give a number where the department can contact you or leave a message.

Question 9. Your email address

  • If you have email, write it clearly in the boxes.
  • If you do not use email, you can leave this blank.

Before you move on, check that everything in Part 1 is complete and easy to read.

2. Fill in Part 2 – Details of your civil status

Most people will fill in Part 2.
It asks about your marital or relationship status and any bereavement route that may apply.

Question 10. Are you…

Put an X in one box that best describes you now, for example:

  • Single
  • Married
  • Separated
  • Divorced
  • Widowed
  • Cohabiting
  • In a Civil Partnership
  • A surviving Civil Partner
  • A former Civil Partner

Choose the option that matches your present situation.

Question 11. If you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting

If you ticked one of these, you are asked:

  • From what date

  • Enter the date your marriage, civil partnership or cohabiting relationship started.

Important

  • If you were married or your civil partnership was registered outside Ireland, the form asks you to attach a marriage certificate or civil union registration certificate.

Question 12. If you are a Widow, Widower or Surviving Civil Partner aged 60–65

This part supports the bereavement route.

You are asked if your late spouse or civil partner had a Free Travel Pass from the department.

  • Tick Yes or No.

If Yes, enter:

  • Their PPS Number
  • Their surname
  • Their first names
  • Their date of birth

You are also asked:

  • Were you living with your late spouse or civil partner at the time of their death
  • Tick Yes or No.

If you are not sure how to answer any of these questions, you can ask Citizens Information or the Free Travel Section to explain your options.

3. If you are under 66, fill in Part 3 – Your claim details

You only complete Part 3 if you are under 66 years of age.
If you are 66 or over, you can skip Part 3 and go straight to Part 4.

Question 13. Occupational pension

  • The form asks whether you are getting an occupational pension.
  • Tick Yes or No.

If Yes, you must attach a record of payment and fill in:

  • The type of payment
  • The source of payment

Question 14. Social security from another country

  • The form asks if you are getting a social security payment from another country.
  • Tick Yes or No.

If Yes, you may need to provide details, such as:

  • The type of payment
  • The source of payment
  • If there is a payment from any other agency, its insurance or claim number

The note on the form explains that you should attach written confirmation from the paying agency showing what kind of pension it is and the allowances that make up the payment.

If you are not sure which documents to include, you can ask the paying agency or Citizens Information to help you.

4. If you want your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant to travel with you, fill in Part 4

You can skip Part 4 if nobody else needs to travel free with you.

Part 4 lets you ask for Free Travel for your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant so that they can travel with you free of charge.

You complete this part only if they wish to travel free with you and this route is available in your situation.

You will need to fill in:

  1. Their PPS Number
  2. Title. put an X in Mr, Mrs, Ms, or write another title in the Other box
  3. Their surname
  4. Their first names
  5. Their birth surname
  6. Their date of birth

Important

  • If they were born outside Ireland, the note asks you to attach a birth certificate.

If you are not sure whether they can get Free Travel with you, you can check first with the Free Travel Section or Citizens Information before posting the form.

5. If you want Companion Free Travel, answer Part 5

You can skip Part 5 if you do not need Companion Free Travel.

Part 5 is about Companion Free Travel for you.

The note explains that you may qualify for a Public Services Card with Companion Free Travel if:

  • You qualify for the Free Travel Scheme, and
  • You are medically assessed as unable to travel alone

The key question is:

  1. Do you wish to apply for Companion Free Travel

  2. Tick Yes or No.

If you tick Yes, the department will send you another form to collect the medical evidence needed. You do not need to provide the medical details on this page.

6. If you are registered blind or applying for a visually impaired child, fill in Part 6

You can skip Part 6 if neither you nor the person you are applying for has a visual impairment.

Part 6 is called Companion Free Travel in respect of a blind person or a visually impaired child.

It applies when:

  • The person in Part 1 is registered as blind, or
  • You are applying in respect of a child with a visual impairment

The note on the form explains that you must either:

  • Provide documentary evidence that the person is registered as blind, or
  • Have the National Council for the Blind or the National League of the Blind complete the section, including their official stamp

If the person is under 18 and not registered with those organisations, you are asked to attach recent medical evidence of a visual impairment from an eye specialist.

There are spaces on the form for:

  • Signature and date of the person (or parent or guardian)
  • Signature and date of a witness
  • The Council or League official stamp

If you are unsure who should sign or stamp this, ask your eye specialist, the Council or Citizens Information for guidance before posting the form.

7. Read Part 7 – Important information

Part 7 explains:

  • Your Public Services Card with Free Travel is for your personal use only and must not be used by anyone else
  • The card remains the property of the Department of Social Protection
  • Misuse of the card or Free Travel entitlement can lead to the department reviewing or stopping your entitlement
  • If you are entitled to Free Travel and do not yet have a Public Services Card, you will need to register for a PSC before a card with Free Travel can be issued

You do not write anything in Part 7, but it is important to read it carefully so you understand the conditions of use.

8. Sign Part 8 – Declaration

Everyone must complete Part 8.

In Part 8 you declare that:

  • The information you have given on the form is truthful, accurate and complete
  • You are legally resident and living permanently in the State
  • You understand that if you give false or misleading information or leave out important details, you may have to repay any benefit and could be prosecuted
  • You agree to tell the department if your circumstances change in a way that might affect your entitlement

You must:

  1. Sign your name in the box provided, or make a mark if you are unable to sign
  2. Write the date beside your signature

If you cannot sign your name:

  • You may make a mark, and
  • A witness must sign and date the second signature box

The warning at the bottom explains that making a false statement or withholding information may lead to a fine, a prison term, or both.

Where to send the completed form

Before you post

When all relevant parts are filled in, quickly check that:

  1. Every question that applies to you has been answered
  2. Any supporting documents mentioned in the form are attached
  3. You have signed the Declaration in Part 8
  4. A witness has signed Part 8 if you needed a witness.
  5. You have kept a copy or clear photos of the form, if you can.

If an official reply envelope came with the form, use that envelope.

Postal address for FT1

Free Travel Section
Department of Social Protection
Social Welfare Services
College Road
Sligo
F91 T384 *(or the address shown on your FT)

If you need help

If you need help to complete the form, you or a support person can:

  • Bring the form to a Citizens Information Centre or Intreo Centre and ask staff to talk through it with you.

  • Or contact the Free Travel Section by:

    • Email. freetravelqueries@welfare.ie
    • Phone. 0818 200 400 or 071 915 7100