I have had a blue badge since Nov 2003 and so it is due for renewal on 14/11 for the third time. I submitted my application along with my £10 in August and was called today and told i need an assessment before they can renew it. They've known this for 9 weeks but have only just called. This is a scandalous waste of public money as I get assessed on average twice a month and they all agree I can't breathe. So why on earth do I have to visit some remote outpost of the council's empire to be assessed by someone that I have no doubt will be less qualified than any of the the Professor, two consultants, one GP, an Oxygen assessor and a respiratory physio all of whom agree I need my badge. Oh and by the way, they can't fit me in until a week after my badge expires and then assuming I haven't grown a new set of lungs by then, they will need a further 10 working days to issue my badge. This means I will be without my badge for at least three weeks during which time I will be unable to work! Thanks Central Bedfordshire Council for taking away the only independence I have left....
BLUE BADGE SHAMBLES: I have had a blue... - Lung Conditions C...
BLUE BADGE SHAMBLES
As I found out when I applied, 'the system' has changed this year and they are assessing a lot more people than they used to. Because the 'new system' is so complicated, according to my local council, they have a massive backlog to work through. It took 3 months to get mine.
They have to be independent of other bodies, like the medical profession. I'm told that GPs's used to get a letter to ask them to confirm their patients abilities, and received a £30 fee. Many GP's were just ticking the box and saying ta for the cash - so the council think.
I got on to my MP and the Mayor and things started to move a lot quicker after they started to ask questions!
Only then did I find out that the massive backlog was nothing to do with the new system, but a shortage of staff in that department...!
Thanks Gordon, I have written to my MP and local councillor but it is an awful mess isn't it
Seems that benefits claimants were not the only ones trying to make a fast buck from 'the system', the council reckons Doctor's were too - hmmm.
I've found that my MP is very good in passing on concerns to the right departments, and getting answers. Then again, she's been around a while and is the current Opposition Chief Whip 
Your councillors are sometimes good at kicking butts as well, depends if it's to do with a committee they sit on or not though. If it's one they want to have a pop at they'll help you, but don't hold your breathe.
I'm lucky enough to have made a lot of contacts when I was doing my radio work so can usually find someone who can do something.
You seem to have a couple of community radio stations locally, although they appear to be very much youth orientated with Radio LaB at the university and Diverse covering the ethnic cultures. A pity as some of these stations would love to pick up a local community story about how a disabled person is being hampered by red tape and officialdom.
I was station manager for a community FM station until last year and I would have been out with a voice recorder, to do an interview, get a bit of positive feedback from listeners and pass it to the local paper
I don't recommend my method - but I did not realise mine was ready for renewal earlier this year and used it for four months whilst it was out of date. Nobody noticed!
But Officer, May comes after October - doesn't it ? 
I agree with what Gordon is saying regarding your councillors/MPs' it's worth bending their ears. Would it be possible for the council to allow a temporary extension on you badge until the assessment is made, as you say you need it for your work. I know it's different but I was given a temporary extension last year on my bus pass as it was due for renewal and there was a delay in GP paperwork, that may be worth enquiring about.
Karen
X
They did that round here - because of the delays in issuing new blue badges, the council announced a 3 month amnesty.
What they didn't do was to tell people that this concession only applied to council car parks - one of our Breathe Easy members got fined for parking at the railway station with an out of date badge, after getting a letter to say it was the council's fault the new badge was delayed.
The private parking company refused to accept her appeal.
Hiwonder if you get mobility full rate and if it makes any differance ie free road tax
good luck bob
Just park anyway and refuse to pay any fine. Go to court and claim compensation.
It's a miacle - having written yesterday by email and post to the CEO of the council and copying my MP and local councillor, they have managed to find me a date for assessment on Monday 5th of November and "provided a pass the assessment" with my 28% lung performance, they will "fast track" my badge to make sure I am not inconvenienced by their actions. Not grumbling because they have responded to my complaint well but I still despair at the waste of scarce public money assessing someone like me for a disabled badge.
Good result. 
Its so good to hear a successful story - well done, you deserve it
Good to hear a successful story - Brilliant.
Hi allblownout. I am dismayed at your story. I cannot say how very angry I become when this sort of incompetance happens. My badge is also due for renewal and I am going down to the One Stop Shop in person with all my paperwork. As I receive the higher rate of mobility allowance I do not expect a problem, but one never knows. I am so sorry for your predicament, can't you enlist help from friends, work colleagues etc to give you a ride to work. I hope you can. I would also write complaining to your MP. It may not help, but what the hell you will feel better. Good luck Maximonkey.
If you have higher rate DLA then you would get the blue badge without assessment or hassle. It's written in the rules...
Thanks Gordon57 for your comments, I know I am lucky to get one automatically. However I was sympathising with allblownout, I hope all is well now and that some kind sole gave allblownout a lift to work. Oh and by the way I did get my blue badge 4 days after I took my paperwork down to the One Stop Shop, just in case anyone out there is worried about their Blue Badge renewal. Take care and keep up you blogs Gordon, I really enjoy them. Maximonkey
Blue disability badge, 
Blue Badge Renewal
IPF and blue badge.
Blue Badge.
Blue Badge
