COPA

[purdeyspringer]

I have Emphysema and have been rejected for a Blue Badge, even though I have three inhalers can't get dressed without getting very breathless, and can't carry shopping etc. on my assessment I was asked some questions, which I answered truthfully, and was asked to walk a short distance on flat ground ( if I had been asked to lift something or carry something the out come would have been totally different ), I was then told the assessment was over, I got a text to say I had been refused, my nurse at the doctor's could not believe it. Is there anything else I can do please. Are there any benefits that I could claim as well please.

[mrsmummy]

Hello and welcome to the forum. The BLF have a benefits advisor. Check out her post here:

healthunlocked.com/blf/post........

[purdeyspringer in reply to mrsmummy]

thank you, I appreciate your help.

[stone-UK]

Hi

Blue Badge is based on your walking abilities. The onset of breathlessness while walking should be a indicator of your walking abilities. Although councils don’t have a appeals process you can ask them to reconsider. Was your assessment done by a third party, you can ask for the report.

[purdeyspringer in reply to stone-UK]

my assessment was done by the council assessment officer at a local clinic. I was told that I could appeal within 18 days, but I was not at all well with two chest infection one after the other. I had to walk a short distance on flat ground, I should have insisted on doing a stair walking test instead. these young people just do not understand how difficult it is for people with chronic illnesses.

[hypercat54]

Also have a look at the Govt. benefits site. x

gov.uk/

[gingermusic]

I think the main criteria is that your unable to walk anything but a very short distance. Same when applying for PIP. I have had a blue badge for years though never had to go for an assessment just filled in a form. You could try for PIP also.

[purdeyspringer in reply to gingermusic]

Assessment is now done by your local council, doctor's letter's don't have any effect I have tried that, although my respiratory nurse is trying to help. thank you for your reply

[Lizzric3]

Did you send I'm Doctors note. I filled in I have copd and have to carry oxygen bottle and couldn't believe it when a blue badge came In the post. Don't give in try again. Good Luck

[Lizzric3 in reply to Lizzric3]

Do you get pip think that may help. I did mine all on line

My hubby became my carer because of the problems I have withbreathing. Try the Form on line may be get a doctors note that may help

[purdeyspringer in reply to Lizzric3]

what is PIP please never heard of this.

[Spacecat1 in reply to purdeyspringer]

Its taking over from Disability living allowance money to help you live, age concern should be able to help

[Lizzric3]

Also age concern have advisors who can help

[hallentine47]

I was refused three times but persisted reapplying until eventually I was granted one. My assessor told me that I did not have Emphysema because if I did I would be dead!!! I was trying to be on my best behavior so as not to upset him otherwise he might have got a belt. Keep trying and tell them about your VERY WORSE day and make that the norm. It may be over emphasizing the negative but it seems to work better. Best of luck. Do not give up.

[purdeyspringer in reply to hallentine47]

wow I would have been so angry if someone said that to me, I will only get worse I am told as mine is chronic, it's just so frustrating, when you have a young lad, that doesn't even look at you while he is asking you questions, and just looks at a computer monitor the whole time. I cant give up I really need this Blue Badge to get anywhere, I cant always rely on my husband he will be 70 next year, I'm 68 this year. Thank you for your help, and glad your are on the mend

[jlc72 in reply to hallentine47]

It's obvious that the person who assessed you had no medical training whatsoever. People are been sent for the test and they are carried out by Physios and the like. We are being sent on a fools errant, because the people who see are supposed to dismiss our cases

[gingermusic]

Oh so sorry I had no idea that you now had to apply in this way. I suppose as I have had mine for a number of years I just have to renew it. Best of luck but yes don't give up

[purdeyspringer in reply to gingermusic]

I know it all changed a couple of years ago, so much easier if your GP did it, he knows your condition, never mind I will keep trying. thank you for your feed back

[purdeyspringer in reply to purdeyspringer]

I think the young lad was straight out of college, they just follow what questions come up of their computer, he didn't even look up to speak to me, how rude is that.

[Jonesthesearch]

I'd be inclined to write to your MP drawing His/Her attention to the fact you are being assessed by a non medical person .

Ask if they can take up your cause with the

Department of Health & Social Care .

Explain Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of obstructive lung disease characterized by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow. and it will never improve and can only be managed.

Perhaps an online petition to the government might also be an idea.

I hate injustice , my husband is the one with COPD and sometimes life really is such a struggle for him.

The person who accessed you is a nincompoop xxx

[purdeyspringer in reply to Jonesthesearch]

thank you I will appeal first and see how that does. I get so angry not being able to do stuff any more, my dad, and brother both had Emphysema. Never smoke .

[Johnem in reply to purdeyspringer]

If you test again, make sure that you use a walking stick and keep stopping for a longish breather every 20 yards/metres. If you already use a walking stick, be sure to do the stopping and resting bit otherwise they assume wrongly that you can walk normally. I understand that blue badge issue has been greatly tightened up due to so many scammers getting them in the past, and when I often see some of the so called disabled blue badge holders sprinting along to and from their vehicles, I must say that I wonder what is wrong with them.

Good luck and do try again.

[Maximonkey]

Hi purdeyspringer, I am so angry that this has happened to you. It is really terrible when people who do not understand illness and how debilitating it can be not to breath properly are assessing us for benefits. My blue badge was running out and I went to the one stop shop to renew it. I was told there was only one administrator there that day and she was due to go home in 1hrs time, I would need to come back. I had struggled from the car to get to the desk and was really breathless so not wanting to return the following day with the incorrect paperwork I asked this person to check my documents. This she did and she said everything was correct and for me to come back preferably at 9am the next day. I said I would try. The following day I returned at 10am (I am very slow in the mornings), I sat waiting for 2 and a half hours only to be told I was short of one piece of paper and I would need to return when I had this letter from the DWP. One week later I was back at the same desk asking to see the person who would give me a new blue badge. I was seen by a lovely man who processed me in 5 minutes flat. It just goes to show it matters who deals with you. Good luck purdeyspringer, do not give up. If they knock you back again ask them what is the problem and that puts the ball in their court and they will have to tell you what you need in the way of proof. If they ask you to do another test say up front you cannot walk far. My doctor told me if I could not walk the length of two doubledecker buses without pain, breathlessness or distress then I was eligible. Take care and let us know how you get on. Good luck Maximonkey

[purdeyspringer in reply to Maximonkey]

I feel for you, I really do, but I think my problem is that I can walk the length of two double decker buses, if it is on flat ground and I do it slowly. I have just almost filled in all the paper work once again on line, then pressed the wrong button and deleted it all, I am so mad, can't start again tonight, will have to do it afresh tomorrow. all this trouble just to park a car.

[Maximonkey in reply to purdeyspringer]

Hi purdeyspringer, so sorry for you. I did the same when I applied for Mobility allowance, so I asked for a paper form and slowly over two or three weeks I completed this very long form by hand. It was worth doing this as the Library do not charge for copying documents for government aid as they are free to copy, which was just as well as it was 20-25 pages long. Going back to you being able to walk two double decker bus lengths, you did say but only when the ground is flat and you walk slowly. You are putting barriers up by stating what you can do on a good day what about all the bad days you have? If you do not have bad days and can walk further than the two buses in normal circumstances then you will probably not get a blue badge because the local authority do not see you as having walking difficulties. Seems very rigid I know, but Blue Badges are like gold to those of us who need them. Good luck anyway, and take care of yourself. Maximonkey

[purdeyspringer in reply to Maximonkey]

thank you for replying, appreciate it.