Blue Badge

[Mikefever]

I recently had to renew my blue badge, has it soon runs out. Today I received a letter from the blue badge team stating that I will have to go to Mobility Clinic Assessment to discuss my application for me to    renew my blue badge. Has anyone gone through this assessment, if so please can you tell me what they ask you to do? Many thanks.    

[newlands]

Yes I was told that ,but when I arrived and they went through my details and found I was getting mobility That  just means you can have it 

I asked what would have happened if I didn't get the mobility component  the lady said "we would take details of your health and then ask you too walk a few yards "

So good luck 

[RibvanRey in reply to newlands]

Shame that Councils could not just ask in the letter, that if the claimant is in receipt of Mobility Care then proof may be sent intend of visiting.  Rib

[Gordon57]

As part of the (re) application you are asked if you get higher rate mobility of DLA/PIP. That is automatic renewal. 

But, beware if you go for assessment. They watch you arrive, see how you walk in the car park or whatever, then get you to wait in reception before calling you to an office - they measure your time to walk that distance, which they then use as part of the assessment. I was in a bit of a bad way the day I went for mine so had been holding the handrail as I walked down the corridor, and was rather slow. That went in my favour. 

I'm now on my 2nd blue badge and only had to send a copy of my DLA letter to them. 

Most of the interview is about you and your health, how it affects you in daily life. How it slows you down walking, makes it difficult climbing stairs and all that sort of thing. They also want to know about meds, what illnesses you have, all sorts of things that help them make a decision. 

Mine was about 55 minutes long. I saw an occupational therapist employed by the council. He repeated some questions and had me fill in a form, can't remember what was on that now. He was watching my every move... 

Just be prepared for all sorts of questions. 

[clematis5932 in reply to Gordon57]

Gordan  My husband has had a badge for six years this December he was told he had to go for assessment.  He receives attendance allowance.  He has copd. and bladder cancer. He explained he can not walk far and has to be able to get close to toilets. Within  few minutes the lady occupational therapist apologised for him having to attend and told us that he would get the badge within a few days. We were there all of fifteen minutes.  Mine also was due in December I got mine straight away am not on benefits just low rate attendance allowance.  My husband asked if he had got to do the walk outside she said no I walked with you down the corridor that is enough.

[Gordon57 in reply to clematis5932]

Quite often they call people for assessment and then realise that they should not have done.  I'm sure they don't read the application forms properly when they pull out whatever percentage it is they have to interview, probably 100% by now. 

I'm thankful I get DLA so have automatic blue badge issue. Had I needed to go for assessment otherwise I would have reminded them of my previous visit where my condition was noted and then pointed out that it's a progressive downhill slope. If I 'passed' back then do they think I would have 'got better' ?

A shame that DLA high rate mobility is the only automatic criteria they accept now. I'm sure that a lot of people should qualify without being seen. 

[mastertom]

I sincerely hope you get your badge renewed ...you can thank this heartless government for this outrageous treatment of the disabled 

[FarmerD]

It seems to depend on who one is seen by,the idiot I saw did,nt have a clue and refused it.My GP wrote a letter.Got it right away.If you get full rate mobility it,s automatic.D.

[Liverpool8989]

I had a assessment done coz I am disabled I got a letter sent back saying I could not have a blue badge because I did not walk slow nough I hold n to my dad arm all time in case I have a seizure as well but no they turned round and said I am not aloud one what do you all think to that