How Do I Apply for Paratransit?

What happens after I’ve submitted my application for eligibility?

For an application to be considered complete, you must answer all questions.

Once you have submitted a completed application, we will evaluate the information you have provided. In some cases, no other information will be needed to make an assessment.

In most cases, we will conduct a second-level assessment. This may be a telephone interview with you, professional medical verification, or an in-person interview. The inperson interview may include a functional test to determine your ability to take a public transit trip: for example, can you walk to a bus stop? Can you read signs?

If you need transportation to a certification appointment, our staff will assist you with arrangements and provide transportation at no cost to you.

How long does it take to find out if I am eligible?

Your properly completed application will be processed within 21 days. If requested, you must make yourself available for a second-level assessment, and your medical professional must return the medical verification form within seven days of receipt.

If I am determined eligible, will I be able to take all my trips on paratransit?

You may take all your trips on paratransit only if you are determined fully eligible. If you are determined conditionally eligible, you can use paratransit only for certain trips. Conditional eligibility means that you are able to use Muni for some of your trips but that due to your disability you are not able to use Muni for other trips. Some examples include:

A person may not be able to get to a particular destination because it requires climbing up a steep hill from the bus stop and a disability prevents him/her from climbing the hill. This person would be eligible for paratransit to that particular destination.
Some kidney dialysis patients are able to take Muni to their dialysis appointments, but they require paratransit to get home, due to weakness after the treatment.

The simple rule to remember if you are determined conditionally eligible: If I am able to take the trip on Muni, then I must take the trip on Muni.

Once you are determined eligible, we will send you an eligibility letter. Any restrictions for conditional use will be noted in this letter and will be a part of your record. San Francisco paratransit staff can help you determine which trips you are eligible to take on paratransit and which trips you must take on Muni.

If I am certified ADA paratransit eligible, how long will my eligibility last?

Eligibility is generally good for three years. In some cases, eligibility may be based on a temporary condition, such as a broken hip, and therefore limited to a temporary period. After your eligibility expires, you will need to reapply if you feel you are still eligible.

It is your responsibility to notify us if your disability or health-related condition changes. If your condition improves so that it affects your eligibility status, and you do not notify us, we could suspend or revoke your eligibility until you reapply or come in to our offices for re-evaluation. If this occurs, you would be entitled to the appeals process (see below).

If I am denied ADA eligibility, can I appeal?

If you are denied eligibility, we will automatically provide you with an appeals request form. You will need to complete this form within 60 days of the denial, and describe why you believe you are eligible. After we receive your appeal request, we will notify you about the time and location of your hearing. You are strongly encouraged to attend the appeals hearing, but you are not required to participate. If you attend, you may bring a representative with you to assist in presenting your appeal. The appeals hearing is informal and not a legal proceeding.

An independent panel that has not been involved in your eligibility decision – including a medical professional, a disabled community member and a transit professional –will hear your appeal. The panel is trained in the appeals hearing process. San Francisco Paratransit staff will attend the hearing to explain how they reached the conclusion to deny eligibility, and you will be given time to explain why you believe you are eligible.

If necessary, foreign language or American Sign Language interpreters will be provided for you with advance notice. You will not be charged for this service. You may also request transportation to and from the hearing at no cost to you.

Do I need an ID card to ride the SF Paratransit Program?

You will be issued a photo identification card after you have been certified eligible. The ID card will include an expiration date and will indicate whether your eligibility is full or conditional. You should carry your ID card with you whenever you use S.F. Paratransit or visit the S.F. Paratransit office.

You are required to show this ID card any time you use paratransit taxi services. You may also need to show your ID card or eligibility letter when you travel to other parts of the country to verify you are ADA paratransit eligible.

Is my personal information kept confidential?

Yes. All personal information is kept confidential and only information necessary to provide adequate transportation service is shared with transportation providers. The San Francisco Paratransit office keeps only the information you provided on your application, in interviews, or through the medical verification.

If you appeal, this information is shared with the appeals panel so that you may be given a complete and fair hearing. The appeals panel must also observe your right to confidentiality.