Can I get a blue badge?

[Lisacj]

I find I get very breathless if I walk too far. I also have PBC and Rheumatoid arthritis, so I was wondering if I could be entitled to a blue badge? Would it add to m y car insurance premiums? Thanks all

[chrissie53]

I have the same as you,, phone your council offices and ask for the forms for blue badge,,list your illnesses on it and just send back,,they check with your doc and if all is well they will send you one,,i had mine in 3 wks,,i did,nt tell my insurers,,its only for parking after all,,oh you need to get passport size photo,s as well ,,godd luck

[Gordon57]

There's no telling who will and who will not get a blue badge, you have to apply and put your case forward. The only ones who are guaranteed one are those who get higher rate mobility component of DLA, Registered blind or certain other conditions.

It should have no effect on your insurance.

You can start an application online at gov.uk/apply-blue-badge - this is passed to your local council, they will look at the information supplied and decide what to do. In most cases you would be asked to go for an assessment. Mine was with a council employed occupational therapist. They ask you lost of questions, you answer as best you can. They observe you walking from the moment you get there, often the first part of the test is the walk to their office. They don't tell you until your sat down, but they time you, and they know how far it is...

What you need to do is provide them with evidence of your disability, a letter from your GP or consultant is a good start. In the application you need to make sure that you state what your difficulties are, how far you can walk and so on.

If you have a social worker, community matron or similar then they may be able to add to the evidence to support your application. If you are unable to walk and someone is taking you for appointments and so on then you can still apply for a blue badge as it's personal to you, not a vehicle.

There are sereveal previous conversations on here about people applying for a blue badge - have a read :- blf.healthunlocked.com/site...

Best of luck in your application.

[Puffthemagicdragon]

It's a postcode lottery. I filled in the online form and put down COPD Stage 3, that was according to my GP. Later that week I had a proper lung function test which showed I actually had Stage 4. I phoned the council to tell them and the chap said it doesn't really matter as you have been awarded it anyway. So there you go.

[caroleoctober]

Had mine for about 10 years, and used to just send in for renewal every 3 years but rules seem to have changed. Do you have to have these tests when you renew?

Carole x

[Nathansgran in reply to caroleoctober]

When renewing you have to answer all the questions again - not much different from applyying in the first place. Good luck!

[caroleoctober in reply to Nathansgran]

Oh never had to last year will have to see what happens next year, perhaps different councils have different rules!

[Gordon57]

The 'rules' changed in April 2012, some councils took a while to bring them in but they should all be the same by now.

There used to be big differences from area to area, the new system was supposed to make us all equal, but it now depends how one council has read the rules against how another implements them - crazy really.

[chrissie53]

Nothing but praise for dorchester council,,4 of us applied in jan,,and within 3 wks we all got one,,no assesments needed,,but trying to park in Weymouth is a different kettle of fish,,,,

[katieoxo60]

Have to say I had no problems renewing my blue badge, just as stated I had to answer the same questions as when I originally applied, due to change in regulations. No problems with registering for ring and ride either and the regulations have changed for that disability service too. Unfortunately not all areas have a ring and ride service like we do in the West Midlands it is a pre book door to door service for people with mobility problems of varied nature, who find public transport a bit difficult.

[loda]

I recieved my blue badge yesterday. I rang and asked for them to send me the form, it arrived within a couple of days then my O.T helped me fill it in, my GP also filled in her bit and I sent it off expecting to go for medical etc. but no it came yesterday. I was amazed. Im not on any benefits other than stat sick pay. Think it does depend on your location