Applicants and recertifying customers are required to go to an assessment center, as part of the eligibility determination process. Based on availability, the assessment will be conducted at a center located in the applicant’s or recertifying customer’s borough of residence or within the five boroughs of NYC.
This procedure enables AAR to assign an appropriate eligibility status to applicants more quickly and objectively.
Except for customers who have temporary conditions, those found eligible will only have to reapply every five years.
At the assessment center
Both AAR applicants and recertifying customers will have a personal interview with a healthcare professional and undergo functional testing as appropriate.
Following your visit to the assessment center, a certifier will send an assessment report to MTA New York City Transit Eligibility staff. This report has information that may not have been noted on your application and/or was missing from your doctor’s note. It also provides a clearer picture of your travel ability.
A decision will be made within 21 days of your assessment. If a decision is not made within the 21-day period, you will be provided AAR paratransit service until a determination is made and you have received written notification of the results.
Eligibility determination
As previously stated, the assessment report enables NYC Transit Eligibility staff to assign an appropriate eligibility status to applicants and customers being recertified.
Below is a list of the eligibility categories:
- Full
- Conditional
- Continual
- Full Temporary
- Conditional Temporary
- Ineligible
Continual eligibility
Continual eligibility will be considered for individuals who cannot use NYC Transit buses or subway service under any circ*mstances and/or whose disability is unlikely to improve and determined likely to become more severe.
Customers who have continual eligibility will not need to be recertified every five years. Instead, these customers will be sent a form requesting an update of their information every five years.
Conditional eligibility
Those determined conditionally eligible for AAR may only travel by AAR when the conditions noted on their AAR MetroCard/ ID apply.
Please note: All NYC Transit buses are wheelchair-lift equipped or have ramps.
Conditional eligibility categories
- Stairs Restricted: Customer is eligible to travel by AAR only when the trip requires the use of an inaccessible subway station.
- Extreme Cold: Customer is eligible to travel by AAR only when the temperature is forecast to be 39°F or below on the day of travel.
- Extreme Heat: Customer is eligible to travel by AAR only when the temperature is forecast to be 90°F or above on the day of travel.
- Extreme Cold & Stairs Restricted: Customer is eligible to travel by AAR: (1) when the temperature is forecast to be 39° For below on the day of travel, or (2) when the trip requires the use of an inaccessible subway station.
- Extreme Heat & Stairs Restricted: Customer is eligible to travel by AAR: (1) when the temperature is forecast to be 90° For above on the day of travel, or (2) when the trip requires the use of an inaccessible subway station.
NYC Transit will check theNational Weather Service websiteto determine when weather conditions apply.
If a customer has weather-related eligibility, environmental barriers to travel (such as humidity, snow and icy streets) will be taken into consideration when trips are scheduled.
Unfamiliar Places (Navigational): Customer is eligible to travel by AAR only when she/he is unfamiliar with bus and/or subway routes to the trip destination due to a cognitive or visual impairment. The customer may not use AAR for routes with which she/he is familiar.
Distance: Customer is eligible for all trips that require her/him to travel to a bus stop or subway station that is more than the number of blocks she/he has been determined able to travel: 1-2, 3-4, or 5 or more blocks.
Please note: Customers may have more than one eligibility category.
Feeder service
“Feeder service” is a trip that is made partly by Paratransit and partly by fixed-route bus or subway. At present, customers with conditional eligibility who are able to walk or wheel short distances (1-2, 3-4 or 5 or more blocks) begin their feeder service trip on AAR and then transfer to a fixed-route bus. The bus takes them to a bus stop. From there, they walk or wheel to their ultimate destination without exceeding their travel limitations.
Feeder Service is a one-fare payment trip.
Appeals
If you are denied eligibility or given conditional eligibility, you have a right to appeal the decision within 60 days of notification. An appeal form and instructions are included with the notification letter. Appeals may be in writing or in person.
If you want to make an appeal to your eligibility determination complete ourAccess-A-Ride eligibility appeal form.
