Applying for Paratransit Services

Basis for Eligibility

Paratransit is a local public transportation service for individuals who are unable to use Yamhill County Transit Area (YCTA) regular buses due to a disability.

The presence of a disability or a disabling health condition by itself does not make you eligible.
Eligibility is also not based on your age, income, inability to drive, or the lack of availability or inconvenience of fixed-route services.

Eligibility for Paratransit is determined based on federal guidelines established under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

To find out if you qualify, you (or someone authorized to represent you) must complete an application. If approved, eligibility must be renewed every three years.

Notification of Eligibility

It may take up to three weeks to review your completed application and, if needed, schedule an in-person interview. After this process, you will receive written notice regarding your eligibility.

While your application is being reviewed, you may use Paratransit services for up to 21 days under temporary approval.

If approved, you will be assigned one of these eligibility levels which determine your ride type:

  • Unconditional​​​
  • Conditional​​​​
  • Temporary​​

Then, after three years of services, you will need to complete a recertification process.

Eligibility Appeals

If you do not agree with your eligibility determination, you may appeal the decision within 65 days of the initial determination. You will receive documentation with instructions on how to file an appeal with the official notice mailed to you by YC Transit.

Application Process

STEP 1:
Apply for Paratransit Service

STEP 2:
Receive Temporary 21-day Authorization

While your application is being reviewed, you may use Paratransit services for up to 21 days under temporary approval.

STEP 3:
Receive Notification of Eligibility

You will be mailed an official letter of notification with your application status within 21 business days of your application being received. Please do not contact Yamhill County Transit during your application review.

STEP 4:
Eligibility Appeals

Applicants who are determined not eligible or who do not agree with the conditions established for their use of ADA Paratransit services may request an appeal, which must be filed within 65 days from the date of the initial eligibility determination.

Using Paratransit Services

If approved, you can schedule rides by contacting dispatch and providing all required information.

TO CONTINUE USING SERVICES

You must submit a new application every three (3) years to maintain eligibility

Online & Paper Applications

You may submit your application online using the form below.

To request a paper or PDF application, choose on of the following:

To submit a printed application, mail to Yamhill County Transit, Tonya Manley – Eligibility Specialist, 535 NE 5th Street, McMinnville OR 97128

Please ensure all questions on the application are answered, otherwise your application will be returned to you for completion. Your responses help us understand your mobility needs and determine when regular YCTA service may be possible and when Paratransit is necessary.

An in-person interview may be required to complete the eligibility review.

PARATRANSIT APPLICATION

General Information: Please read carefully. All questions must be answered. Applications that are incomplete or lack required signatures will be returned.

This application is for:
Preferred method of contact:
Is your mailing address different than your home address?
Do you receive medical services under the Oregon Health Plan (OHP)?
Are you currently eligible for transportation under the Medicaid program?

Yamhill County transit agents and employees will use the information provided during the application process for the purpose of determining eligibility and providing transportation service.

Section 1
Please tell us what you know about the local bus service offered by Yamhill County Transit.
1. Have you ever tried to use the local bus service that Yamhill County Transit (YCT) operates throughout McMinnville and Newberg?
Are you aware that all YC Transit buses are fully accessible to accommodate persons who use wheelchairs or who are unable to climb the bus steps?
Are you able to reach the YC Transit bus stop nearest your home?
What best describes your ability to use the local bus service?
Paratransit sometimes provides connecting service to the nearest YC Transit bus stop, shelter, or transit station when the distance to the bus stop is what prevents the rider from being able to use the bus.
5. If paratransit were to provide transportation for you to the YC Transit bus stop closest to your home, please check all the statements that would apply to you:
6. Are there any other reasons why you cannot board or ride a YC Transit bus?
Section 2
Please provide the following information about your disability
2. Do you have other physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or conditions that limit your ability to use YC Transit bus service?
3. Do the effects or symptoms of your disability vary from day to day?
4. Is your disability or condition:

What is your estimated recovery period?

Section 3
Mobility Equipment
1. Indicate which mobility equipment you presently use and would be using when traveling on YC Transit:
4. Is the combined weight of you and your wheelchair or scooter more than 600 lbs.?
5. Paratransit operators are unable to perform the duties of a Personal Care Attendant (PCA). Will you need to travel with a PCA or somone to assist you when you travel on paratranit? (Attendants travel free when assisting passengers)
6. How does a PCA or attendant assist you?

Section 4
Please provide the following information about your functional capabilities
1. How far are you able to travel on a flat surface, whether on your own or using your regular mobility aid, without the assistance of another person?
2. Can you climb three (3) 12-in high steps?

Please check the environmental conditions that affect your ability to get to and from a YC Transit bus stop, or to and from a destination using the YC Transit Bus.

Due to the nature of my disability, to travel, I must:
Due to the nature of my disability, all intersections in my path must have:

Section 5
How might you use YCT Transit ParaTransit
If you are eligible for paratransit services for some or all trips, what would be your most frequent destination? Please provide building names and/or addresses below if possible:
If you are determined eligible for paratransit services, would you be interested in a once-a-week grocery shopping program?

If you are unable to carry all your own purchases when grocery shopping, the operator on a Paratransit Shopper is able to aid carrying groceries on and off the bus. Regular paratransit operators will not be able to carry parcels for you.

Section 6
Optional Information

The following questions are optional and will have no bearing on your eligibility for Yamhill County Transit Paratransit service:

What is your ethnicity?
What is your gender?
Are you a US Veteran?

Section 7
Please read and sign the following:

Person completing this form, if other than applicant: