TransHelp eligibility and application guidelines

To qualify for TransHelp, you must:

• Live in Peel (Brampton, Caledon or Mississauga).
• Live with a permanent or temporary disability that's defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code.
  This includes – but isn't limited to – a visual, physical, sensory, cognitive or mental health disability that a healthcare professional has confirmed.
• Have a disability that sometimes or always stops you from using conventional public transit such as Brampton Transit or MiWay.

Deciding who can use TransHelp

Having a disability doesn't automatically qualify you for TransHelp.

We decide who's eligible for TransHelp on a case-by-case basis. This means we'll look at your disability plus other factors to see if you qualify.

We do not base eligibility on:

• Your age.
• How much money you earn.
• How familiar you are with conventional transit.
• The availability of public transit where you live.

We place all TransHelp passengers in a "Temporary", "Conditional" or "Unconditional" eligibility category.

Temporary eligibility

Temporary eligibility means that:

• A short-term disability is expected to change or improve over time; for example, an operation, treatment, or therapy.
• You may qualify for TransHelp if the disability prevents you from using conventional public transit.

Conditional eligibility

Conditional eligibility means that a disability or a barrier is stopping you from using conventional public transit only sometimes or during certain conditions.

For example, a person living with a physical disability might not be able to access a local bus stop during the winter months.

Unconditional eligibility

Unconditional eligibility means that:

• A permanent disability is not expected to change or improve with time.
• You may qualify for TransHelp if your permanent disability is stopping you from using conventional public transit.

Complete all sections of the application form in detail or we will not be able to process your submission. You might be considered ineligible if you don't provide enough detail about your disability and the barriers that prevent you from travelling on conventional public transit.

A healthcare professional must complete the Health Care Information section of the application form.

This person could be a:

• Regulated Master of Social Work
• Audiologist
• Chiropractor
• Nurse Practitioner
• Occupational Therapist
• Optometrist
• Physician
• Physiotherapist
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Speech Language Pathologist

If you live in a long-term care facility, a registered nurse may complete the Heath Care Information section of the application.

The healthcare professional section must be completed within 90 days of your application submission.

Submit the renewal form for current conditional TransHelp passengers who wish to renew their application.

You must complete the full application form if you:

• Are not a current TransHelp passenger.
• Are a temporary passenger.

We might ask you to attend an in-person or virtual assessment to help us decide your eligibility.

Assessments help us better understand the barriers that are stopping you from taking conventional public transit.

If we need an in-person or virtual assessment, we'll call you.

Assessments can take up to one hour. When you come in for an in-person assessment, please bring the following with you:

• Identification
• Mobility devices you currently use
• Comfortable footwear
• Weather-appropriate clothing

Instructions are in English. If you'll need someone to translate for you, bring someone with you who can speak on your behalf.

All assessments are completed by a licensed healthcare professional.

If your TransHelp application is denied, you can appeal the eligibility decision.