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When Free Travel must stop or be reviewed

Sometimes Free Travel may have to stop, a card or pass must be returned. If you think a decision is wrong, you can write to ask for a review by a more senior official.

Use this topic if you or someone you support:
  • Has been told Free Travel may stop or be reviewed
  • Has had a big change in payment, work or circumstances
  • Has been asked to return a Free Travel card or pass
  • Is dealing with matters after a Free Travel recipient has died
  • Wants to ask for a review of a Free Travel decision

Note

This page offers plain language guidance. It is not a legal document. Only the Department of Social Protection (DSP) can make an official decision about a free travel application.

Quick overview

In most cases Free Travel continues as long as:

  • You live permanently in the State, and
  • You still meet the conditions for Free Travel, for example by receiving one of the qualifying payments, or by being certified unfit to drive where that rule applies

However, Free Travel may have to stop or be reviewed if:

  • You no longer receive a qualifying payment
  • You move abroad or are no longer permanently resident in the State
  • Your medical or driving status changes where this was part of your entitlement
  • There is a question about misuse or fraud
  • The Free Travel recipient dies

In certain situations you must return the card or pass.

Before you begin

Try to have these details to hand:

  • Your PPS Number
  • Your full name and address
  • Details of the social welfare payment or scheme you are on now
  • Details of any recent change in your payment, work, health or living situation
  • Any recent letter about your Free Travel
  • The type of Free Travel card or pass you have, for example:
  • PSC with Free Travel
  • Paper Free Travel pass
  • Senior SmartPass
  • Any letters or reports from your doctor if your entitlement was linked to medical fitness to drive

Steps

Use the sections below to see what usually happens in the most common situations.

1. When you must return a Free Travel card or pass

You must normally return a Free Travel card or paper pass to the Free Travel Section if any of the following apply.

  • You are no longer in receipt of the qualifying payment that entitles you to Free Travel
  • You no longer live permanently in the State
  • The Free Travel paper pass holder changes address and is being moved to a Public Services Card system
  • The card or pass holder no longer satisfies the criteria for their particular Free Travel entitlement, for example a companion entitlement that no longer applies
  • The card or pass is worn, badly faded or illegible, and needs to be replaced
  • The Free Travel card or pass holder has died

These rules help the department keep records up to date and prevent a card being used when Free Travel should have ended.

When you return a card or pass:

  • Include your name, PPS Number and address
  • Add a short note to explain why you are returning it, for example:
    • Payment stopped
    • Moved abroad
    • Free Travel recipient deceased

The department will update their records and, where appropriate, will arrange a replacement or confirm that Free Travel has ended.

2. How Free Travel is monitored and reviewed

How long Free Travel usually continues

In general:

  • If you are aged 66 or over, Free Travel normally continues as long as you are permanently resident in the State
  • If you are under 66, Free Travel normally continues as long as you:
    • Are legally and permanently resident in the State, and
    • Either continue to receive one of the qualifying payments for Free Travel, or
    • Continue to be certified by your doctor as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months, where this rule applies

Monitoring and information requests

From time to time, the department may:

  • Review your entitlement to make sure the conditions are still met
  • Write to you asking for information, for example:
    • Confirmation of your current address
    • Details of your current payment, work or scheme
    • Medical reports or certificates, where your entitlement is based on your ability to drive

If you receive such a letter it is important to:

  1. Reply by the date given
  2. Provide any documents or certificates requested
  3. Ask the department to confirm in writing what happens next

If you do not reply, your Free Travel may be stopped until the information is received and checked.

3. Misuse or fraudulent use of a Free Travel card or pass

A Free Travel card or paper pass is:

  • For your personal use only, and
  • Is not transferable to any other person

Misuse or fraudulent use can include, for example:

  • Allowing someone else to use your card or pass
  • Lending or selling your card or pass
  • Altering the card or pass in any way
  • Using the card or pass when you know you are no longer entitled to Free Travel

If the department believes there has been misuse or fraud, they may:

  • Investigate the matter under the relevant transport and social welfare rules
  • Decide to suspend or stop your Free Travel entitlement
  • Take further action under the law where appropriate

If you think your card has been used without your knowledge, for example if it was stolen, you should:

  1. Report this as soon as possible to the Free Travel Section
  2. Apply for a replacement card or pass. See the topic
    *Renew or replace your Free Travel card or pass

The department can then take the misuse into account when they review your case.

4. When the Free Travel recipient dies

If a person who had Free Travel has died, their representative should:

  1. Return the Free Travel card or paper pass to the Free Travel Section
  2. Include a short note with:
    • The name of the deceased person
    • Their PPS Number, if known
    • The date of death, if known
  3. Keep copies of any letters for your own records

Returning the card or pass:

  • Helps the department update their records
  • Prevents accidental or wrongful use of the card after the person has died

If you are unsure where to send the card or what to include, staff in Citizens Information or your Intreo Centre can help you prepare the letter.

5. Ask for a review if you disagree with a Free Travel decision

Free Travel is a non statutory scheme. This means there is no formal right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

However, if you are dissatisfied with a decision about your Free Travel, you are entitled to ask for a review by another, more senior official of the department.

To request a review:

  1. Write to the Free Travel Section, giving:
    • Your name, address and PPS Number
    • A clear description of the decision you disagree with, for example:
      • Application refused
      • Free Travel stopped or not renewed
    • The reasons why you think the decision is incorrect
    • Any supporting information, such as:
      • Copies of decision letters
      • Medical reports or certificates
      • Details of your payment or scheme
  2. Keep a copy of your letter and documents for your records
  3. Wait for the department to:
    • Consider your case fully and fairly
    • Write back to you with the outcome of the review

If you need help writing the letter, staff in Citizens Information, an Intreo Centre, or another support worker can help you set out your reasons clearly.

Result

When you follow the steps that apply to you:

  • Your Free Travel record will be updated to reflect your current situation
  • If you still meet the conditions, your Free Travel may continue
  • If your Free Travel must stop or be suspended, the department should explain:
    • Why the decision was made
    • What will happen next, and for how long
  • If you have asked for a review, a more senior official will look at your case and send you a written decision

Always keep any letters about your payment, work, health or scheme together with letters about Free Travel, so you can show them if questions arise.

If you need help

If you need help to understand a decision about Free Travel, or to ask for a review, you or a support person can:

  • Bring any letters or copies of forms to a Citizens Information Centre or Intreo Centre and ask staff to talk through your options
  • Contact the Free Travel Section by:
    • Email. freetravelqueries@welfare.ie
    • Phone. 0818 200 400 or 071 915 7100

Bring this page with you, or show it on your phone, so staff can see which Free Travel situation you are asking about.