How do we pay you?
Once the direct payment card has been issued, funds for the PTB will be added to the card before the beginning of each term.
If your young person is absent from school/college, the PTB will be adjusted for the next term payment.
Learn all about how this works in our FAQs. Direct Card Payment System - FAQs (PDF 189kb) Opening a new window
How much is the personal travel budget (PTB)?
How much you receive is based on the distance between your home and school/college. We use GIS mapping software to identify your home address and that of the school/college. The route to school/college is measured along a network of roads. You are paid for 4 journeys a day at a rate of 55p per mile.
For example,
If you live 5 miles from school/college, the PTB is calculated as:
5 miles x 4 journeys (one return journey in the morning and afternoon) = 20 miles a day
20 miles x 55p = £11 per school/college day
If your child/young person attends school/college every day for the full academic year, you will be paid:
£11 for 190 school/college days = £2090 a year (approximately £697 per term).
For children in receipt of higher-level Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and additional £150 termly payment will be included in the PTB funding (pro rata'd as necessary).
Will I regularly need to show the council how I am spending the personal travel budget?
We want you to have the flexibility and control to arrange your own transport. The PTB is calculated as above and it is your responsibility to use it as you need to, to ensure you’re your child/young person attends school/college regularly.
There will be no additional funding available to you should you not have enough money at any time. We will monitor your child/young person’s attendance to ensure payments are accurate and where your child/young person has been absent we will adjust the funding amount for the next term.
Will it have an impact on my other benefits?
No, personal travel budgets do not affect any other benefits you might receive.
Will the payments be taxed?
The personal travel budget is a payment made in relation to the child/young person, not the parent/carer and so should not affect your tax situation. It is used to enable your child/young person to get to and from school/college each day in a safe and legal way and should not be used for any other purpose. If you have concerns that it may impact on your tax situation, you may want to seek your own advice from a tax expert in relation to your
personal circumstances.
Can the council withdraw my personal travel budget for any reason?
We can withdraw your personal travel budget if:
- Your child/ young person’s attendance is unacceptable
- Your child/young person is no longer eligible for home to school/college travel support
- You have not made safe travel arrangements for your child/young person
- Your child/young person’s EHCP has ended
- Your child/young person leaves school/college
- The scheme is discontinued.
What happens if the arrangements don't work out for my child, or my circumstances change? Can I change back to the previous transport arrangement?
Yes. You must give us a half term's notice to stop the payments and to rearrange transport for your child/young person. If you change to contracted transport, and have received payment for the PTB, you will be required to repay the amount which is no longer needed. Transport will not be provided until outstanding amounts are repaid.
Will the personal travel budget (PTB) continue in future years?
Yes. We encourage all children/young people, where possible, to travel independently as they grow up. We hope many parents/carers will consider a PTB as their primary option of transport for their child/young person.
In addition to a PTB, Travel Training is an option when your child/young person is 15+ and may be discussed
with you at that point.