Fundamental Rights Section 3.3.6 No fare reduction for invalidity pensioners (VA BD/277-V/06, 581-SV/06) Several pensioners turned to the Ombudsman Board, since they received invalidity pensions or old-age pensions, but were not entitled to reductions when using public transport. The Ombudsman Board has advocated the introduction of public transport fare reductions of public transport for people receiving pensions due to reduced working capacity for a long time, since persons who are forced to give up their profession for health reasons are in most cases financially worse off, despite receiving pension benefits, than old-age pensioners who are entitled to fare reductions (see last report of the Ombudsman Board to the National Council and the Federal Council in 2005, p. 362). The non-granting of fare reductions to invalidity pensioners is even less understandable if they had been granted a fare reduction pursuant to Sect. 48 para 5 BBG (Bundesbehindertengesetz - Federal Act on Incapacitated Persons) before they received the invalidity pension and lost it after their retirement. Sect. 48 para. 5 BBG provides a fare reduction for protected disabled people within the meaning of the BEinstG (Behinderteneinstellungsgesetz - Federal Act on Hiring Disabled Persons) from a degree of disability of at least 70%. By receiving an invalidity pension the pensioner loses his protection pursuant to the BEinstG and therefore also his entitlement to a fare reduction pursuant to Sect. 48 para. 5 of that Act. According to the Bundesministerin für Soziale Sicherheit, Generationen und Konsumentenschutz (Federal Minister of Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection) the competent ministries are currently negotiating the financial coverage for fare reductions for disability or invalidity pensioners. The outcome of these negotiations is not foreseeable for the Ombudsman Board. 3.3.7 Fragmented procedures for people with disabilities The Ombudsman Board has pointed out for many years that fragmented procedures pose a difficulty for people with disabilities and their relatives (see the 29th Report of the Ombudsman Board to the National Council and the Federal Council in 2005, p. 366). Also in that reporting year, the Ombudsman Board was faced with many complaints of persons concerned. It provided help in connection with purchases or adaptations (see Case 90