Blue Badge.

[GIBBO]

Has anybody renewed their Blue Badge recently, mine is up in six weeks and it looks as if they are tightening up for the wrong people. I got refused PIP two years ago with emphysema and waiting for forms to try again I've only got 26% of my lungs working and cant walk very far. Has anybody had problems renewing theirs.

[pergola1]

Last I renewed mine, it was around a year ago and no problems. I dont think I have the needs that you have, Gibbo. My husband will be needing one ?? shot knees due to wear and tear + chemo. Wish you well with getting one. x

[Toci]

I renewed mine last summer - just sent it in and they sent me a new one without any problems. However, I do get the mobility component of DLA so this may make a difference.

[maggie44]

Hi Gibbo

I received my renewed my Blue badge about 3 weeks ago. They had advised me to get the renewal form into them in plenty of time because it could take up to 6 weeks to process, even if the renewal was agreed.

I had the feeling that they were tightening up on the criteria so filled in my form carefully but honestly. I always get copies of the reports from my appointments with consultants (rheumatologist; pulmonary hypertension etc) when they inform my GP about test results/progress/new medication etc). I decided to select a couple of these which were recent and summarised my state of health and limitations in walking and oxygen use. I really didn't want to extend their deliberation time if they decided to contact my GP. I included copies of these reports with my form, a cheque and photo. The new Blue Badge arrived within 2-3 weeks.

I hope you are successful in renewing yours.

Maggie

[katieoxo60]

Hi Gibbo, the regulations have changed for blue badges, I like others renewed without problems but do get mobility allowance so that is why, plus more than one illness. If I was you I would get a consultants report as you may be called by the council for examination to see how disabled you are, a report will help. Good luck

[imelda16]

Gibbo hi

My husband has had a blue badge for years because of his heart condition and arthritis but this year the information they needed of his health problems was a mammoth task to fill in. He is 82 and even worse than when he was granted it but just to fill in meds and medical history was daunting ,he never received a disability allowance. So I applied instead as I receive mobility allowance and it was no problem. What a sad government this is ,! ! !

[victoriablue]

Hi Gibbo I have had the reminder for mine and I usually have to go to see the nurse as I don't get DLA or attendance allowance but it says I have to do it on line or the telephone. I also got refused and I never appealed. What really annoys me is the fact not only me but lots of others all know people that get what they shouldn't. Hope you get sorted soon and look out for my complaints if they say I cant have a blue badge because that is all I get.

[pergola1]

This has to be the moment for a gripe for the 100% mobile ones using the disabled bays. I have seen it happen and had a long non productive exchange of emails with Tescos.

[SecondLife in reply to pergola1]

oh how I wish it were that simple that we could write to Tesco and all would be sorted, last week we parked in a disabled bay and put our badge up, couldn't get out of the car as there were a family in the next bay with all the car doors open while they got their children and pushchairs out - no blue badge. Being the coward that I am (and they looked aggressive) I did not question them but did mention it to customer services and was told there was nothing they could do. So why then are you only allowed to park for 2.5 hours according to the sign and the car park is monitored? Because our Tesco is so close to the town centre everyone uses it to park free.

[alanjudy]

Renewed in February no problems. Don't get any allowances - applied for PIP in July and heard nothing yet. Answer the questions on your worst day.

Judith

[SecondLife]

Ours is due for renewal in August this year and as we live in Somerset which is tightening up on everything it may be an interesting exercise, will come back and let you know what happens. Interestingly enough we have to apply for another one to allow us to park free in Dorset and they are happy just to send us another one each year.

[out-for-lunch in reply to SecondLife]

Hi SecondLife

I'm intrigued on two points.

First, I can't understand why you need a seperate Blue Badge for Dorset. A Blue Badge is valid right across Europe - they are not county or country specific.

Secondly, being a Somerset Blue Badge, do you get mooring rights (sorry if offended) .....

[SecondLife in reply to out-for-lunch]

haha, you're right we do need mooring rights, apologies for not coming back earlier we have been away for a couple of nights break to Paignton. You are right that the blue badge is valid across Europe however if we want to park in a car park in Dorset and not pay then we have to apply for a specific badge to allow us to park for free. In the Somerset car parks there is no such provision and disabled or not you have to pay. Sorry I didn't explain myself properly - senior moment. All of this leads to a scramble for a car parking space on the roads.

[out-for-lunch in reply to SecondLife]

aha .... that explains.

I must admit that when I'm in Dorset I'm usually in the motorhome, so am barred from car parks as most in Dorset have height barriers. I usually look to find a safe place on yellow lines but had noticed a lot of blue-badge holders doing the same .... I guess to avoid paying a parking charge. I had wondered why.

[SecondLife in reply to out-for-lunch]

as a visitor you can go into the tourist information office and they will issue and day or weekly pass but for a resident you apply for a yearly one, good for us as we only just live in Somerset, if there wasn't a bend in the road I would be able to see the Dorset sign from the living room. We've got a motorhome as well but tend to find sites where there is a nearby bus stop, we have just come back from Paignton and the bus stop from outside the site was superb.

[out-for-lunch in reply to SecondLife]

It seems Weymouth are becoming motorhome enlightened .....

motorhomefun.co.uk/motorhom...

We bumped into someone last year who park & often stay overnight in pub carparks. When they arrive they do a deal with the landlord - they'll have an evening meal & drinks, on the understanding they can park for the day & stay overnight. They've never been declined. We did it a few times after we met him & were welcomed with open arms every time.

[SecondLife in reply to out-for-lunch]

gosh that is really enlightened, we called into Tesco this week and took up 3 parking spaces. There is a book of overnight stops not just at pubs but farm shops etc. where you buy their products or a meal and you can stay for free. Think the book is £20 for a year but someone told me it wasn't worth it

[out-for-lunch in reply to SecondLife]

Yes, think there are a couple, 'BritStops' MotorHomeStopovers', both are absolute rubbish & a complete waste of money.

This site is good for searching out night stops etc ..... towards the bottom on the left hand side, click on "Motorhome Stopovers Google Map" - zoom to wherever, click on one of the pins & bingo

ukmotorhomes.net/uk-motorho...

We've already stayed at this one:in Carmarthenshire at Burry Port - had a lovely time:

ukmotorhomes.net/uk-motorho...

This next site is a potentially useful lobby group which, in particular has good MH parking info & up-to-date activities about UK Aires etc.

tmcto.org/

[caroleoctober]

Mine was due for renewal on March 25th, I have had one for more than 10 years, I received my renewal forms about 5 weeks ago. It is more complicated than before, 5 or 6 pages of forms, and I had to enclose a letter from the pension office from within the last year, a copy of either my birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport and driving licence, any combination of two of them, and a cheque for £10 pounds. I got the copies back after a week and the new blue badge after a fortnight even though they said 6 weeks. I was told I may have to go for an assessment but luckily my word was enough. I don't get mobility allowance because I get Attendance Allowance. They are obviously tightening up but I think it may be different in different councils. I am in Gloucestershire. Hope this helps. Keep smiling

Carole x

[Maximonkey]

Hi Gibbo, I renewed by badge and DLA this year. I did it be going on line and printing off the form and filling it in. If you cannot do this contact your local Welfare Officer (usually in the one stop shop) he/she will help you reapply. Good luck I know how much the blue badge means to someone with breathing difficulties. Do not hesitate. Maximonkey

[thatcham1939]

I renewed mine in november last to have it ready for January, i had to write a medical report, trick questions, all my medications and i got my blue badge 8days late, so apply for it now , and good luck.

when i received the badge i was told they would put me on the database, what ever that was, maybe i will not have to fill in a medical history

jan

[onamission]

I was not claiming dla when I got my badge I think it is down to your council, I don't get mine issued automatically because I still don't claim any benefits but then I don't know anyone who has COPD and can run a marathon

[warwickstag]

The process is more stringent and there's a lot more form filling and it does appear to be another post code lottery depending on where you live or how bankrupt your County Council is. Having said that Warwickshire dealt with mine swiftly and apart from the £10 cost there were no problems despite my not claiming any benefits. However I'm on Oxygen 20 hours a day and that may be the clincher.