What is Conditional Eligibility?

Many people with disabilities are also able to ride MTA’s regular fixed-route transit services. As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit eligibility decision, MTA has developed guidelines for persons who are eligible to ride Mobility, but who also have the ability, depending on conditions, to ride regular fixed-route MTA service like Local Bus, Metro Subway and Light Rail. According to the Code of Federal Regulations CFR 37.123, if a person meets the eligibility criteria for some trips but not others, that person “shall be ADA paratransit eligible only for those trips for which he or she meets the criteria.”

Conditional Eligibility Is Designed For Your Individual Needs.

If you are an MTA Mobility customer, your eligibility to utilize Mobility services enables you to reserve the service for times when your capabilities do not permit you to use MTA Local Bus, Metro Subway and Light Rail fixed-route services. That means there may be conditions placed on your eligibility to use MTA Mobility when you are able to use fixed- route services, depending on the time of day and your individual circumstances.

How Your Status Is Determined.
As part of the application process to determine your status as a Mobility customer,
eligibility specialists will consider information from healthcare professionals familiar with your abilities. You may also be asked to undergo a functional assessment by a certified physical or occupational therapist. Your own evaluation of your capabilities is a key source of the information used to determine your status.

Appeals To Your Eligibility Status.
Following your certification appointment, you will receive a letter that outlines all the
conditions that apply to your use of Mobility and fixed-route services. These conditions are always based on your individual circumstances that may affect your ability to utilize fixed- route services in a variety of conditions.

You have the right to appeal a decision of conditional eligibility. Information on how to appeal will be included with the letter.

Example Of Conditional Eligibility For A Visually-Impaired Person. Ms. Allen is slowly losing her vision. For now, she can still see well enough to live independently, to walk without a cane outside of her home, and ride the bus for her shopping and medical needs. However, she notices that she has trouble walking well at twilight and after dark. She has stumbled several times, and must move much more slowly to tell where the curbs and steps are.

In this case, with conditional eligibility, Ms. Allen would ride the Local Bus, Metro Subway or Light Rail during daylight hours, reserving Mobility service for any part of her trip that takes place after dark.

Example Of Conditional Eligibility For A Head-Injured Person.
Mr. Charles has a head injury. During rehab, he has learned to ride one simple bus trip,
without a transfer, to his job. But he gets confused if the trip is more complicated, and short term memory loss interferes with his ability to learn new trips.

In this case, with conditional eligibility, the expectation would be that Mr. Charles would ride the Local Bus, Metro Subway or Light Rail for the simple trip that he has learned, and reserve Mobility service for any trip that requires a transfer, or for when he travels to an unfamiliar area.

Example Of Conditional Eligibility For A Walking-Impaired Person.
Mr. Brown has arthritis which affects his knees, hips and lower back, and limits his ability
to walk. He has just purchased a scooter, but he doesn’t use it every day. He still tries to walk under his own power as much as possible.

In this case, with conditional eligibility, the expectation would be that Mr. Brown would ride the Local Bus, Metro Subway or Light Rail when he uses his motorized scooter, and reserve Mobility service for trips that involve a lot of walking.

Still Need To Book A Trip? Mobility Is There For You.
If it is likely that you will need a Mobility trip, and you qualify for it under your conditional eligibility status, it is important to book that trip the day before. However, if you decide to make the trip using Local Bus, Metro Subway or Light Rail service, it is important to cancel your reservation with Mobility as soon as you know you will be using other transit resources. This is not only a courtesy to other passengers, but a way of ensuring that Mobility service will be there for you when you need it in the future.

For more information, visit mta.maryland.gov/mobility or call
410-764-8186 / 8004 or MD Relay Service at 711.