Is an over 60's bus pass public funds?

I saw that this was asked and answered in the past but there was no consensus. The list of public funds does not include bus passes, but from what I am gathering, omission does not mean it does not apply. Does anyone know where I could get a definitive answer?

I genuinely believe it is not.

A similar example was when I first moved to the UK, I received a reduction in council tax for being a single occupier and that was not a public fund.  I would consider the bus pass simply a discount.

I'm sure it's not.  Wish I could tell you who you could get a certain answer from.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-funds--2/public-funds

I agree with KFdancer.
I also think that if someone, somewhere on any of the forums had been refused a visa for having a free bus pass, that we would have heard of it by now.

Definitely a gray area! My husband is, by his age, entitled to one but would not risk getting one because he is on a visa.  I have one and I cannot recall having to include immigration status on the application form. Mine is such a blessing!

Looking at the gov.uk website, there is no immigration-related element to it at all. It is just based on age.

I have just found these FOI requests to UKVI regarding free bus passes and public funds, which explicitly state that the bus passes are NOT considered public funds and you are entitled to them as long as:
- you meet the age criteria
- you live in the UK/the UK is your main residence (you can't get one as a visitor to the UK)

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/concessionary_bus_pass_is_it_not
And
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/32331/response/85014/attach/3/100504%20FINAL%20P0006406%20Shashi%20Garg%20eligibility.pdf
And
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/bus_pass_scheme_is_it_a_public_f_2

So, I would go ahead and get a bus pass for your husband .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looking at the gov.uk website, there is no immigration-related element to it at all. It is just based on age.

I have just found these FOI requests to UKVI regarding free bus passes and public funds, which explicitly state that the bus passes are NOT considered public funds and you are entitled to them as long as:
- you meet the age criteria
- you live in the UK/the UK is your main residence (you can get one as a visitor to the UK)

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/concessionary_bus_pass_is_it_not
And
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/32331/response/85014/attach/3/100504%20FINAL%20P0006406%20Shashi%20Garg%20eligibility.pdf
And
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/bus_pass_scheme_is_it_a_public_f_2

So, I would go ahead and get a bus pass for your husband .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Excellent detective work!

Excellent detective work!

+1 

+2!

Thank you so much! I will print off that final letter from the Dept of Transportation and keep it in my files. Much obliged to you!

+2!

And if you look at all the guiidance on public funds published by the government for the Home Office staff, I have never read anything there that says these are classed as public funds for residents subect to immigration control.

When Boris was the Mayor of London, he brought in that London residents (not for those visitiing) of 60 and over, can have a free pass.

ksand24 everything you said has been confirmed by our immigration attorney. Great job! Here is her response to us:

Your query below is a good one: It would be my opinion that it does not constitute a public fund for immigration purposes. This is due to the fact that it is not listed under paragraph 6 of the Immigration Rules nor is it mentioned on the Home Office website (see here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-funds--2/public-funds [nofollow] ). The following guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/518624/Public_funds_v13.0.pdf [nofollow] ) on page 9 confirms that if the benefit is not listed under paragraph 6 then it cannot be considered a public fund for immigration purposes. The Home Office also confirmed the position in a Freedom of Information Request (see here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/bus_pass_scheme_is_it_a_public_f_2 [nofollow] ).

In England it's the female state pension age for free travel, not age 60, unless you  live in London and can get a Boris pass (60+ oyster card) or have a certain type of disability.
https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-age/y/bus_pass

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/adult-discounts-and-concessions/60-london-oyster

If you live in the other 3 countires (NI, Scotland, Wales) it is age 60.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-elderly-person-bus-pass

ksand24 everything you said has been confirmed by our immigration attorney. Great job!

For the record, ksand24 blows most of the attorneys we hear about here, out of the water! 

For the record, ksand24 blows most of the attorneys we hear about here, out of the water! 

And then some

Ksands is really good.
She reads and understands the Immigration rules.
She keeps up to date with all the changes