Blue Badge

[Poobah]

I know that the government has tightened up the criteria for Blue badge applications. Has anyone successfully applied for a blue badge on the walking difficulty criteria alone (in that you don't receive any disability benefits)?

I've got to a point where I've stopped going places where parking is not convenient to the location as I have trouble with walking even a moderate distance and absolutely cannot manage stairs or inclines. Reading the current blue badge criteria it appears that I'm still too mobile to qualify.

Any personal experiences with the application, successful and not, would be appreciated.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

I have a blue badge (need to renew it this year). The best thing you can do is confirm your GP and consultant will support the process. And with blue badges you write about your (regular) worse days not your average. So for me I write as if it’s snowing and I have a cold. In this situation walking from one end of the car park to the shop at the other end will (and has) send me to hospital (resus). And I can safely say that on ‘limbo’ says walking 0.3 miles on the flat will send me to hospital too. You just have to bare with it on the form... there’s one area focused on SoB when walking.

Hope that helps

[Poobah in reply to EmmaF91]

Thank you Emma. That's very helpful.

[starveycat]

Always fill in as if it's your worst day. I had menieres disease and if I walk with anyone I walk into them. If lorries go past I feel as if I'm falling into them. There is nothing wrong with my legs but I have balance problems. Be honest , I receive no benefits but as you say you cannot walk far, manage steps. Just apply it's worth trying. I didn't think I would get one but I did good luck

[Biggie_McDick]

I got a blue badge at the second attempt.

On the first try I wrote down an 'average' day and failed.

I moved house to a differrent council and submitted again.

This time I wrote about my symptoms and abilities on a bad day.

I was summoned for an interview with a physiotherapist who took copious notes and listened to my reasoning.

I have Crohn's disease as well as asthma and I believe that had a bearing on my success. I explained that when i need to use the toilet, I "Really" need to use the toilet and parking near the entrance would be beneficial. I laid it on particularly thick as I said that if I park further away I am unable to rush to get to the toilet and thats when accidents happen.

She said that she would submit her notes and I would hear in due course.

Some time later I received the badge.

I have a friend who is waiting to hear about his application. He lives in my old council area so I"m interested to hear how he gets on.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Biggie_McDick]

Interesting as I ‘only’ have severe asthma. I didn’t get taken to interview for mine when I applied tho was a different county to now so maybe I will be this time... unless my meds/dr appts/emergency admissions list scared them into thinking I didn’t need interviewing 😅. Will be interested about renewal.

[Biggie_McDick in reply to Biggie_McDick]

I heard from my friend tonight. He got refused a blue badge with "only" Asthma.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Biggie_McDick]

It’s worth appealing it.

I’m hoping that my history will speak for itself when I have to renew. 4 emergency admissions since November. A total of 10+ admissions in the last year. Incredibly regular hosp appts at 2 hospitals (in fact this week will be the first week since Christmas that I haven’t been in contact with a hospital....). 11-13 home meds for asthma (including daily steroids) and 1 injection I have to get in the hospital etc etc. (Even docs freak when they see my med list 😅)

Usually if it’s a badge that is needed (because being without it will most likely lead to hospital) then he should win the appeal. I hope that helps

[Poobah]

Thanks to everyone for the information. I shall talk to my asthma nurse as I have an appointment with her and ask her to support my application if my medical records are required.

[Blue-Breeze]

Can I just make people aware of the free parking. Please always check the parking board. Never take it for granted that it is always free. Our local hospital changed to private company we checked and paid. Others didn't and have received £100 fine (read on FB group). The other group hospital the same private company the fine £50.

[Biggie_McDick in reply to Blue-Breeze]

Definitely worth checking.

When I go to Edinburgh I check with traffic wardens just to make sure.

I also usually check before going somewhere new if I need to pay, even with a blue badge

[berth]

I applied for a clue badge Bc walking is difficult for me and I got it within weeks

[Angel-Girl]

My local council has changed the criteria (Northamptonshire) and you now need to show an annual uprating letter for a disability benefit. Meaning I either have to claim something or not renew the blue badge apparently it being trialled in Northamptonshire and 2 other places before a UK role out.

[Taima in reply to Angel-Girl]

Not fair seeing as even people who are literally dying have been stripped of their disability benefits. I have lost jobs over my asthma and many other conditions, had my DLA stopped/denied PIP and ended up homeless for two years.

[Angel-Girl in reply to Taima]

agree totally Taima, in my case I am lucky enough to need to claim as I would hate the process of medicals, refusals and appeals. Stay well

[Poobah in reply to Taima]

The last ten years have been particularly cruel in terms of supporting those who need extra help.

Surprisingly, now businesses are going to face hardship a ton of money is available.

Being the 5th or 6th richest country, the UK has not covered itself in glory when it comes to the most vulnerable in our society.

Someone summed it up; socialism for the rich and capitalism for everyone else.

I hop you're in a better place now.

[Hidden]

I have one but don't use it as I don't drive now due to an ankle fusion which messes up my ability to perform an emergency stop! Grrrr

[Poobah in reply to Hidden]

That's frustrating. I don't know much about the Motability scheme, but some adaptions come at no additional cost to the lease. motability.co.uk/products/a...