Transport troubles
Question
What are the rules regarding the payment of travel expenses if I'm on Income Support and have to travel to a hospital outside of my area for medical care?
Answer
It's possible to get help with your travel costs providing you are getting Income Support and claim at the hospital using form HC5. If you can't afford the fare you can apply for the fare in advance either from the hospital or a crisis loan from the Social Fund. You may also be able to get some help if you are visiting someone in hospital.
You are only able to get those costs 'necessarily incurred'. This means travelling by the cheapest means of transport available at the time that you need to travel. This is most likely to be public transport fares at an off-peak time, but may include the estimated amount of fuel used if travelling by car (as long as it is does not cost more than public transport), or taxi fares if there is no other way of travelling. It is worth asking the hospital for advice about your transport options before traveling.
Updated: 15/01/2009
Question answered by CAB
