Been asked to attend a informal interview for a blue badge. Can anyone tell me what to expect please. Thanks x

[astrel]

[Louisiana]

I have a blue badge but didn't have to go for an interview. they checked with my doctor. The basic need of a blue badge is that you cannot walk far....this is imperative, so that has to be stressed. Breathlessness doesn't seem to count much with them...I have osteoporosis as well, and my bones just cant move too well! Good luck with your interview. If I didnt have my badge I just would not be able to go anywhere.

[astrel]

Thanks for the reply, I can walk a little bit but I have COPD and it is getting harder to go out I have to plan where I go as to be near enough to the shop to actually get to it, the letter did say a informal 15 minute interview, we will see when I go I guess x

[whit]

tell them you cannot walk more than 20 metres without stopping to get your breath, . steep banks and stairs are a no no, if you have stairs at home tell them you have to go up them on your backside .you are breathless even while you shower ( i am)

[astrel]

Thanks and I may add about sums me up too, showering is getting a pain now I have to sometimes get out a rest. x

[Plumbob]

Every Council appears to be different, I have been refused, then I appealed, had an assessment, and said I have to try and walk as a form of Physio to keep my lungs open whilst I can, regardless of my heart rate more than doubling, and oxygen levels plummeting!........ the reply 'but you can walk the prescribed distance, and don't appeal for the next 6 months'..........I went to the press and hey-ho Durham County Council are reviewing their decision!!! ... Will keep you informed...... Attached is the link to my press story....All I can say is Good luck - Plumbob

t.co/yPQB8OaZ0x

[Offcut in reply to Plumbob]

Different without your makeup

I noticed the quote "However, all Blue Badge applications are considered in line with Department for Transport Guidance." from Ken Pattison, Durham County Council’s strategic manager for service support in children and adults services,

Now that states that all disabled parking bays should be no further than 50 metres from an entrance! PIP changes were implemented which changed the rules to 20 metres before a mobility claim would be granted which contravenes the building and transport regulations but was passed in parliament.

There was a large amount of opposition to this from disability charities but the figures were fudged BLF with its many 1000's of members were classed as a group and counted as 1 unit against even though a lot had voiced their concerns to each of it's relevant charities it made no difference.

Steps off soapbox.

[Plumbob in reply to Offcut]

Offcut didn't know about BLF being one unit but but the government can just move the goal posts to suite, thats why I'm still fighting to prove to the government that I have asbestosis with the support of 3 consultants saying I have isn't enough !! If I lived in Ireland or Scotland it is not an issue !!! Anyway on the positive front after my press release and a letter to Durham County Council I received a phone call from the council saying they have reviewed my case and apologised for any stress I have been put through and reversed their decision. I am now going to be awarded a Blue Badge.... Yippee (though at long last !!)

[Offcut in reply to Plumbob]

It was not just BLF it was every charity that was putting in a group response was counted as I unit each. Harold Wilson once said "Statistics can give you the answer you want when you want it"

Since they upped the compensation of asbestos it seems that it is near on impossible to make a claim.

Well done on the badge

[astrel]

Wow that is rather harsh, I wish you luck with it and if there is any justice you will get it .

[noah11]

My mum was recently refused a blue badge. She has lots of pain, back and hips, and very difficult to walk. Friend dropped her at door to building then went and parked car. Decision letter said she walked from car park so declined. My point is to ask what the assessor is writing an make sure it is right.

[Jovi_Lady in reply to noah11]

I did get questioned about this, when my daughter took me for mine, she asked how I had got there that day I told her my daughter, she asked 'where did you park' I told her my daughter dropped me at the front door then parked the car, she then stated 'well you entered the building together didn't you? I said yes, I waited for her at the door (I had to lean against the ramp that they had in place till she parked the car) had I walked from the car park they would have been calling for an ambulance for me............they don't miss a trick x

[Jovi_Lady]

Hi Astrel when I applied (2014) I had to go for an interview at the council who was unable to make a decision so I was sent for to see the OT, I had to go to the 'formal' interview, it was done by an OT took about 15 mins if that, they basically go through your medical problems, Medical history, they list all the drugs you take, ask if your under any consultants, if you have any future surgery planned and on mine I had to go for a walk outside with her, which she timed and noted the distance I walked within the time, we then went back inside and she had some point scoring system on her computer, I had to tick one box from about 7/8 for them to award me the blue badge......I ticked 3, like someone mentioned other councils may do it different, its nothing to worry about.........good luck

[astrel]

Thanks. Seems such a pain for you all. I feel like just not going, but I know it will improve my quality of life if I don't have to plan my every outing. I am fine if my partner is with me because he drops me of then goes to park the car, alone I sometimes have to abandon trips because I can't get close enough. X

[Offcut]

I have had a Blue badge for 6 years and for some reason on my renewal they told me that I was to be assessed but after my badge ran out and they would not issue me one until I was assessed! I had sent them all my new info on my heart and lung conditions and the collapsed vertebra and arthritis etc. It was after the third phone call I was told I will get a call back? about an hour later the head of customer service called me and apologised as there had been a admin error and I was down to have a badge and it will come before the old one runs out!

To the assessment they base the badge on what the PIP new rules state for mobility that you cannot walk 20 metres without severe discomfort or the need for aids.

bluebadge.direct.gov.uk/dir...

Who can get a blue badge?

Some people can get a blue badge automatically. This is called being eligible without further assessment. You fit into this group if one or more of the following applies to you:

you are registered as blind/severely sight impaired

you receive the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

you receive the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and you scored at least 8 points in relation to the ‘moving around’ activity in the PIP assessment, or least 12 points in the mobility activity for planning and following journeys

you have been awarded a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8). You have also been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which means you can’t walk or find walking very difficult

you receive a government grant towards your own vehicle.

If you were on higher rate mobility component of DLA, but you had to claim PIP instead and didn't get enough points to be eligible for a blue badge, you can continue to use your badge until it expires.

If none of these apply to you, you may still be eligible. This is called being eligible subject to further assessment, and will apply to you if you meet one of these criteria:

you have a permanent or substantial disability which means you can’t walk or find walking very difficult

you are a driver and have severe upper limb disabilities

you are applying on behalf of a child over two with a permanent or substantial disability which means they can’t walk or find walking very difficult

you are applying on behalf of a child under three with a medical condition that requires them to be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment or transporting bulky medical equipment.

How are you assessed?

If you are eligible subject to further assessment, your local authority will look at the evidence of your disability to decide whether you can have a blue badge.

You may need to have an independent mobility assessment. If you have applied for or held a blue badge previously, your GP may have carried this out. Assessments may now be carried out by an independent mobility assessor. This is usually a medical professional such as occupational therapist or physiotherapist, who has never treated you before.

If your local authority wants you to have a mobility assessment, it will refer you to the assessor. You will not be charged for the assessment.

You may not be required to undergo an assessment if your council says it is very obvious that you are eligible or ineligible.

How is walking ability assessed?

You will generally only be able to get a blue badge if you can walk only with great difficulty, and at an extremely slow pace or with excessive pain. No other factors, such as how difficult you find it to carry objects, will be taken into account.

Your difficulties must be permanent and not temporary. For example, if you have a broken leg, you can’t apply for a blue badge.

How are upper limb abilities assessed?

If you have severe upper limb disabilities, you are eligible for a blue badge if you:

drive a vehicle regularly

you have a severe disability in both arms

you are unable or would find it very difficult to use a parking meter.

You are not eligible for a blue badge if you have severe upper limb disabilities and only travel as a passenger.

Local authorities treat applications from people with severe upper limb disabilities as a special case. This means that before making a decision, they might:

interview you

inspect your vehicle

check your insurance documents which state that you drive an adapted vehicle.

[victoriablue]

I have had to go for an interview the last 3 times and they even wanted to know how I got round the supermarket would have thought it was plain enough leaning on the trolley for support.

So add that on to all the others I have COPD and knee problems.

Good luck.

[onamission]

My friend had to go for a interview for her blue badge she gets middle rate DLA so they must all be the same wait till I go for mine if they ask me if I'm claiming PIP I will give them what for

[astrel]

Thanks everyone for advice x

[FarmerD]

They will ask some silly questions and probably get you to walk a short distance.Get a letter from your doctor as I suspect they automatically refuse without the doctors letter.When you answer the question answer on the worst days outcomes.D.