School transport September 2026 updates
Find the latest information about applications, transport arrangements and digital bus passes.
Apply for transport for low income families
You may be able to receive school transport assistance on low-income grounds if any of the following apply:
- aged 8 to 11 and attend your catchment or nearest suitable qualifying school and live more than 2 miles away
- aged 11 to 16 and attend one of your three catchment (read about changes coming regarding catchment) or nearest suitable qualifying schools where you live between 2 and 6 miles from their school
- aged 11 to 16 and attend your catchment or nearest suitable school preferred on the grounds of religion or belief and live more than 2 miles and less than 15 miles away
You also need to receive one of the following benefits and apply each academic year.
Benefits and documentation required
| Benefit | Documentation required |
|---|---|
| Maximum Working Tax Credit (not reduced due to income) | Full award letter for the current financial year |
| Universal Credit (earnings element less than £7400) | Statement / UC Award Breakdown |
| Income Support (IS) | Letter confirming receipt of benefit |
| Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA) | Letter confirming receipt of benefit |
| Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (from the National Asylum Support Service) | Letter of confirmation from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) |
| Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit | Pension Credit M1000 Award Notice |
| Child Tax Credit, provided a parent /carer is not entitled to Working Tax Credit and has an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed £16,190 |
Full award letter for the current financial year or Letter from the local Revenues and Customs Office confirming tax credit details |
| Income-Based Employment and Support Allowance | Letter confirming receipt of benefit |
You will require proof of your benefit to be dated no more than 2 months prior to your application. You will need all pages of any award notices or letters. Please ensure you have these documents to upload before starting the application as you cannot submit without them.