Can't get a disability parking badge ... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

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Can't get a disability parking badge as not disabled enough.

Mandywoo profile image
23 Replies

Really not happy I don't go out shopping very often as I struggle to find car park spaces where I can have door open fully to get out. if im lucky and can find a space im ok but then have the hassle of going back to the car to find someone else has parked next to me so can't get in. I have on so many occasions gone home without shopping as can't get out of the car . I have applied for a parking badge so can park easily and near shops as walking is also painful but had my form and payment returned to me and refused as it's not a disability they consider needs a badge.I'm not happy as I can't go Christmas shopping as can't walk far without crying in pain and this time if year parking is horrific dper anyone else suffer and been refused a badge .

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Mandywoo profile image
Mandywoo
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23 Replies
franmayo profile image
franmayo

Hi recently Fibromyalgia was declared an incurable lifelong Illness. This should be something towards applying for a badge. you need letters from your Consultant confirming you condition. Ask you Surgery for a copy of the Consultants letter that co firms it. also any other co consultant's letter confirming any other condition you may have. If your GP gives you one also any alternative therapist you may visit for help appeal against the decision made. you should have about 2 weeks to appeal and take your letters with you.zIn The Wales they ignore anything your gp. sends only look at the Consultants letters. All the best. xxxx"

Mandywoo profile image
Mandywoo in reply tofranmayo

Already done that I sent them the letter from the hospital and still said no don't qualify it's a stupid as can't even go shopping as parking is a no no if have to park next to someone as the pain is so bad to try and get out if car door not fully open even that hurts but is easier it's ridiculous I'm not claiming no benefits for this and still can't even get a badge .xxxxx

in reply toMandywoo

It would be in your favour if you claimed pip mobility as 8 points would get you a blue badge I have ra and fibromyalga and know people with fibromyalga that get it

Big_H profile image
Big_H in reply to

It really does seem so unfair as all the different boroughs in the country have different criteria and as you said some people get mobility PIP and some of us don't. Yet I know of people who are walking about and they still got full PIP. They definitely need a shake up and not just because the government has a deficit to repay

hebden profile image
hebden in reply toBig_H

Because you see people walking about with full pip doesn't mean they are not entitled to it. This is exactly the kind of comments this government likes so they can justify the cuts making people have to fight even harder to get the benefits they are entitled to. It is not easy task to get any benefits as there are so many hoops to jump through. Peoples disabilities are not always visible and we should not judge unless we know. I often see people with blue badges who are able to walk but it doesn't mean they are not entitled there could be underlying problems they are coping with.

Mightysore profile image
Mightysore in reply to

You need 12 points to qualify for the enhanced rate of mobility on PIP, so your information is incorrect. It is possible to get a blue badge whilst only getting the Standard Rate of Mobility - I did it 2 years ago! I had to undergo a mobility assessment by an OT employed by my local council. She was very nice, and it was not difficult for her to see that I had difficulty walking as I was in considerable pain. She issued me with a Blue Badge for a period of 1 year. When the year was up, I reapplied, and as my condition had deteriorated and I was on more medication, I was automatically awarded another badge, this time for 3 years! This happened without a further mobility assessment.

When I filled out the form, I gave as much information as possible about my conditions, and the list of medications I was taking backed this up. I was not required to get a letter from a Consultant!

In the last 2 weeks I have been awarded the Enhanced rate of mobility on PIP, but as my current badge is valid until 2019, I don't need to make use of my entitlement to a Blue Badge for another 2 years. I now quality for free Road Tax for my car, and this will save me £180 per year!

in reply toMightysore

I got a blue badge with 8 points standed mobility for 3years it seems things are different depending on your local council

Mightysore profile image
Mightysore in reply to

That is more than likely the case! My local council is Fife Council, in Scotland. I have been on DLA since 2004, with a lifetime award being made in 2009. In September this year, I received a letter from DWP to tell me that my DLA would soon be ending, and if I wished, I would need to claim PIP instead. I got my first blue badge in 2014, after a mobility assessment. As I was still on DLA (lower rate mobility), I was required to go through this to see whether or not my condition was severe enough to warrant the issue of a Blue Badge. As I was on DLA, I have no idea how many points I might have been awarded had I been on PIP. I got my badge for a year, then when I reapplied towards the end of 2015, I was awarded my second badge for 3 years, without having to go through another Mobility assessment. What I was trying to say was that you have no automatic right to a Blue Badge, unless you get the Enhanced rate of mobility under the PIP scheme, which entitles you to 12 points. I take it that you would also have been required to undergo a mobility assessment by your local council, as you only got 8 points, which would qualify you for Standard rate Mobility.

Local Councils make up their own rules, which in my opinion, can often seriously disadvantage vulnerable claimants. It appears there is something of a Postcode Lottery when it comes to accessing services from councils. This was certainly the case with me regarding Housing Benefit. It took nearly 2 years and a lot of work by a qualified lawyer from Fife Law Centre to get our Housing Benefit reinstated after Fife Council made multiple errors in the calculation of our benefit. We got our benefit reinstated and we got some back payment of Housing Benefit. However, because councils are permitted to make their own rules, we were conned out of about £800 in back payments. Had we lived in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen, we would have got back every penny we were due. I could have continued to fight with Fife Council, but waiting for 2 years to get our Housing Benefit reinstated took its toll on my mental health, so I had to let it go.

In my opinion, Council rules should be the same throughout the UK, no matter where you live. Only then will vulnerable claimants get what they are entitled to. Fat chance of that happening with the Tory Party in power - divide and conquer seems to be their motto!

franmayo profile image
franmayo in reply toMandywoo

Try TCM with a qualified practitioner who is not Chinese. I'm too they don't provide nutritcin advice that is 75% of the treatment. Acupuncture the. rest there is a register of qualified practitioners. It is an Irish webpage. Can't remember the name. It should come in on a search. I hope you improve. M

Mandywoo profile image
Mandywoo

Ok thanks may look into it x

I too was refused a badge last years as they claimed I can walk 80 metres! I contested and said the nearest parking for our town shops is far more than 80 meters! Instead I have a local town parking permit at 10 quid for a year, I can park wherever its a local town parking including parkingmeteres but not on private car parks, its better than nothing I suppose.

Big_H profile image
Big_H

Exactly what I just said in replying to someone else's comment. It is so unfair and I worry that because of the governments deficit and now cutback on benefits that it will be harder still to get the help some of us so desperately need to have any life at all!

Miss13 profile image
Miss13

Did you have a assessment,my mom isn't classed as disabled but has walking difficulties from her hips(had one replaced) and she applied for a blue badge but she had to go to see them and have a assessment.

bluebell99 profile image
bluebell99

I would certainly appeal and quote that the DWP recognises fibro as a condition that can cause disability. Ask for an assessment too.

Good Luck

Kay

Clara27 profile image
Clara27

I have 2 herniated discs on my very low back. I use my dads parking permit. Is asked the Dr if I can have one. I have full blow Fibromyalgia, Carpal Tunnel , shoulder , hips, and my legs not to mention I get excruciating migrain headaches 5 days is a row a month. Now I'm taking Zoloft 25 mgs but what I'm trying to say is that because I have a back problem , I drive for a while and I have difficulty getting out of the car , stretching my back straight and walk normal. Also I have to take my Meds (not all) every 6 hrs and go to the store before it wares out if not I'm useless. I'm going to have to put my foot down with this Dr because Fibromyalgia is a illness that can't be cure but with temp Meds.

Clara27 profile image
Clara27 in reply toClara27

I need my handicap decal so I can park in the front.

Aurorasparkle profile image
Aurorasparkle in reply toClara27

I'm afraid it is illegal to use someone else's blue badge in the U.k.

in reply toClara27

Hi Clara I agree with autosparkle not only is it illegal for you to use your fathers blue badge - if you are caught using it by traffic warden or police you could be charged with fraud and your father will lose his blue badge and may never be able to get another one.

As for your blue badge refusal I agree that you should appeal against this - I would also get my MP involved - unfortunately the system has been abused by low life's with nothing wrong with them as with benefit cheats that's why it has become harder for real peeps with disabilities to get anything and that's where most of the blame lies.

Wish you every success in your pursuit of your rights - but please stop using your fathers badge. Take care 🤗🎄🎅🏻

Clara27 profile image
Clara27 in reply to

I didn't mean to say I use it without me because I think I'll be embarrassed to get caught. I use it when he is in the car with me , plus I don't drive much but I do he comes with me not just for the parking but to get him out of the house since he is 75 years old and I feel bad for him being stuck at home doing nothing. Yet I did it once and I was scared but this happened a years ago.

Warm regards,

Clara

in reply toClara27

Phew thank goodness for that - hope you keep fighting for the badge though as you need it. Take care 🤗🎄🎅🏻

hebden profile image
hebden

It might annoy you to see (loads?) of people with blue badges but you don't really know why they have them so you should not judge them. I have a blue badge and sometimes I can't park near shops because people without badges use the disabled bays. You cannot get a badge without being checked out and even having an assessment. If you don't agree you can appeal. "Do not judge lest you be judged"

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi Mandywoo

I am so genuinely sorry to read this and I would most certainly appeal this decision. It may help your cause (as others have said) to apply for PIP if you have not already? Local authorities can make mistakes and there may have been one made here?

I have pasted you a link to the GOV.UKcache on Blue Badges, and what qualifies for acceptance onto the scheme:

gov.uk/government/uploads/s...

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

Crackers1 profile image
Crackers1

I have a badge but sent a letter from G.P. And copies of my dexa scan, MRI Scan and x rays. Reports from Consultants. If you have any evidence of your disability you should send them. My impression was that what cant speak cant lie and there is no disputing it. Good luck x

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