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Scotland-wide free bus scheme (National Entitlement Card)
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, any new National Entitlement Card applications are not being processed so we would advise not to apply. From 26th May 2020 limited card production starts for existing disabled and over 60 cardholders (replacements and renewals only). Find out more about current arrangements for the National Entitlement Cards.
The Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people is open to holders of a free National Entitlement Card (NEC).
Eligibility
If you are over 60 or have a disability, you could be eligible for free bus travel to get around Scotland and your local area.
Over 60s eligibility
To be eligible for the NEC, you must be:
- over 60 years old
- a resident of Scotland
Disabled people eligibility
To be eligible for the NEC, you must:
- be over 5 years old
- reside in Scotland
- meet one of the disabled people eligibility criteria
How to apply
Please note that we won't be able to process applications made more than 2 weeks before the 60th birthday.
To apply, please complete and return the National Entitlement Card application form (pdf 166KB). You can also contact the NEC team for a copy or collect it from one of our offices accepting applications once they re-open.
Once you have completed the application please return it to entitlementcard@aberdeenshire.gov.uk alongside supporting documents, this also includes proof of disability if you have a disability.
If your application is urgent, we recommend that you return it to a council office.
Supporting documentation
If you are over 60 or have a disability, when applying for an National Entitlement Card, you also need to provide:
- a recent photograph of passport quality and standard
- proof of person (official document with a photo such as passport, driving licence, etc.)
- proof of residence (utility bill, council tax bill, TV licence, bank statement, etc.)
For more information on acceptable proofs visit the proofs page on the NEC website.
Additional supporting documentation for disabled people
If you have a disability you will also need to provide additional supporting documentation as proof of your disability.
The documentation you will need to provide depends on the type of disability that you have. View the detailed list of documents corresponding to each disabled persons eligibility criteria.
For any questions about the National Entitlement Card please contact the NEC team.
Offices accepting applications
The following council offices accept and validate both disabled persons and over 60s applications:
- Aboyne Social Work Office
- Banchory Social Work Office
- Banff Service Point
- Ellon Service Point
- Fraserburgh Aberdeenshire Support and Advice Team (ASAT)
- Huntly Service Point
- Inverurie Service Point
- Kincardine and Mearns Area Office
- Laurencekirk Housing and Social Work
- Peterhead Service Point
- Portlethen Social Work Office
- Turriff Service Point
In addition the following locations accept and validate forms for the over 60s:
- any Aberdeenshire main post offices
- Alford Library
- Fraserburgh Library
- Inverurie Library
- Westhill Library
Post offices may take longer to validate your form. Please check the time scale with the individual post office.
Contact
For replacement cards please phone 03456 081208 or email entitlementcard@aberdeenshire.gov.uk providing your name, date of birth, address details and reason for replacement.
If you have any specific queries regarding the application process, or would like to know what other services can be added to your card please contact:
Telephone: 03456 081208
Email: entitlementcard@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Or send queries in writing to:
Freepost
Access Aberdeenshire