From London Evening Standard 2nd April 2015

According to the letter from James Peters, Waltham Forest has reduced its council tax benefit ....and the council has also extended by one extra year eligibility for the Freedom Pass........[info deleted for clarity]

Can I get help paying my Council Tax?

Council Tax support is a means-tested welfare benefit. The amount you could receive is based on your income, savings, rent, Council Tax level and personal circumstances. This benefit helps people on a low income to pay their Council Tax.

Council Tax Support Scheme Details

From 1st April 2013 the Government replaced the national Council Tax Benefit scheme with Council Tax Local Support Schemes, (also known as Council Tax Reduction scheme) and reduced funding to pay for the scheme. Previously, Council Tax Benefit has been fully funded by the Government.

The scheme is reviewed annually (see details attached)

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The claim that the local authority had also extended by one extra year eligibility for the Freedom Pass is UNTRUE. The Freedom Pass Scheme is managed for the 33 London Boroughs by an organisation known as London Councils and information is published at www.freedompass.org

There are several types of Freedom Pass. The Older Persons Freedom Pass allows free travel across London and bus travel nationally. Under legislation passed by HM Government eligibility for the national scheme element has been restricted (for both men and women) to gaining the female state pension age and this qualifying age changes regularly (not annually) against a table issued by DWP. 

Eligibility for an Older Persons Freedom Pass can be checked by ent...

From obtaining the age of 60 those residents in London can still apply for a TFL 60+ London Oyster photocard. In order to be eligible for a 60+ Oyster pass you must be over 60 but not yet be eligible for a Freedom Pass .

The  TFL 60+ London Oyster photocard allows free travel on buses, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London. Pass holders also get a discounted fare on River services and the Emirates Air Line.

60+ Oyster pass holders are not entitled to free travel on services outside of London.