Blue badge : Hi all. I have just... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

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Blue badge

42 Replies

Hi all.

I have just applied for a blue badge and am really upset that they have told me I need an assessment by a physio first. What do people expect to get from you when you are in chronic pain and in turmoil with your own body day after day...I'm so upset that I have supplied all my gp and consultant info but still I've been denied a badge until the assessment has deemed me "appropriate" to have one.

Has anyone had the same treatment to get something you are so entitled to.??

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42 Replies

Yea I did have trouble But when I gave them a copy of my diagnoses they accepted these If you are a disabled person who has been diagnosed you won’t have a problem If you you are a person who is very ill but has no paperwork to prove it you won’t Doctors letters won’t get you a blue badge

in reply to

I sent over with my application my diagnoses etc but still they have asked me to have an assessment before issuing which I felt was a little wrong due to the fact everything I have is documented. D

in reply to

If you've been awarded the mobility at the highest rate on PIP you get a blue badge without an assessment.

ritzy123 profile image
ritzy123 in reply to

You don't have to have highest rate on the pip mobility it's ok if you have the 8 points..

in reply to

You are dealing with a council so who are going carry out this assessment and how ? You should go to the manager of the office your dealing with And citizens advise they will sort it out for you

Jan101 profile image
Jan101

Hi sweetie I got a short note from my gp saying she thought I was suitably for a blue badge and so did my brother and around one week later we both had our blue badges.

Maybe if you could ask your doctor really nicely she/he could jot something down for you. It doesn’t have to be a full letter mine wasn’t.

I truly hope that you will get your blue badge. Good luck sweetie. Love and hugs 🌹🌿🌹🌿🤗🤗😘😘

in reply to Jan101

Hi Jan101

Thank you for your reply, yes i think I may ask my gp for this. I'm going today to get my steriod injection in to my hip so will mention.

Love and hugs 😘

Jan101 profile image
Jan101 in reply to

If she /he is understanding they can just scribble you a note saying they think you are suitable and they will except it. Also tell them that it’s very difficult for you to do the assessment. Please let me know how you get on sweetie. Good luck 🤗🤗🤞🤞🤞🤞😘😘

in reply to Jan101

It's not until the 6th June but I will let you know honey.

Thank.you xxxx

Jan101 profile image
Jan101 in reply to

Ok sweetie in the meantime take good care of yourself. Love and hugs 🤗🤗😘😘🤞🤞🤞

Rachelle400 profile image
Rachelle400

Hi

Yes I had a blue badge but when I renewed it I was called in for an assessment. I was denied another badge as they said I didn’t meet the criteria! Amazingly I had been cured! NOT

I now struggle and often come back home if I can’t park near to where I need to go. Very upsetting and frustrating. My only advice is to act as if it is your very worse day when you go for your assessment. Good luck and I hope you get it

Rach xx

susanna555 profile image
susanna555 in reply to Rachelle400

I appealed after being refused a badge and had to have another assessment with a senior physio and got given one ...... Try appeaing their decision. Hope this helps x

ladyofshalot profile image
ladyofshalot

Got mine as been assessed for PIP and was awarded mobility component hope you get yours sorted

LadyJoro profile image
LadyJoro

It’s standard practice in most councils to have you in for an assessment if you aren’t in receipt of PIP mobility component.

The hard part is explaining the good days va bad days to someone without a clue

Claire133 profile image
Claire133

Sorry to hear this is happening to you, I got mine straight away as I have standard mobility at 8 points, do you not receive the mobility component of PIP? Try not to worry to much and explain your difficulties when you get there, LAs give out blue badges frequently to people with fibromyalgia, I'm sure they will understand. Fool luck and keep us posted x

Debdoris profile image
Debdoris

Hi I have a blue badge assessment on tues, I haven’t been asked for an assessment by a physio, I am doubting I will get one, was going to cancel app but my doctor & consultant are pushing me to go for one as I have been told it’s very hard in my area , I have read it’s different for different areas , it’s so not fair it’s such a struggle for us all when we are in so much pain 😢😬😡

Dawn1 profile image
Dawn1

Hi yes councils do here own assessments. he are usually friendly and quick and if you can't do certain things they don't pull you around just see what aids you use and how you walk and ask questions about pain and breathlessness. If you are on pip and enhanced rate then you automatically can get one without assessment

YASMINTINA profile image
YASMINTINAFMA UK Volunteer

I hope when you see doc today that something can be done keep us posted , they really do make it hard for genuine people sending warm hugs xxxxx

panda60 profile image
panda60

Unfortunately automatic entitlement to a badge is only for those who fit certain criteria. Otherwise they are awarded at the discretion of the local council. GPs in my area have not been involved for many years. It is very common to be assessed. I was for mine- saw a lovely physio who asked me some questions about my conditions and then had to walk up and down the corridor.

Greenpeace profile image
Greenpeace

Hi there, try not to worry too much about this. Nearly all local councils ask you in to be assessed by a Physiotherapist if you don’t get the higher rate of Mobility in PIP. Money wise, things are tough for local councils, and because by issuing Blue Badges you not only get to park nearer to where you want to go, but also in most cases, you don’t need to pay parking charges, and town councils make a lot of money from issuing these!

The assessment that they do isn’t long, and it’s mainly to see how far you can walk without getting breathless, or suffering pain. Be honest, take your time, and if you have any other health issues apart from Fibro that might benefit from having a Blue Badge tell them about how these affect you too, and how having a Blue Badge would help you manage these better when you’re out and about. Just keep in mind that what they’re looking for is not your diagnosed conditions, but how having a Blue Badge would benefit you in managing these conditions when you’re out and about.

Good luck, and I’m sure you’ll be ok.

loraine12 profile image
loraine12

Hi if you get 8 points or more of mobility part of PIP you get badge automatically x

Sewnsew profile image
Sewnsew

I’m trying again for a blue badge. If I have to go for assessment I think I’ll make sure I do some walking before hand. Once my legs have given up, which won’t take long, I’ll go for my assessment.

It’s awful having to go home when I can’t park outside a shop, all that energy wasted😏

Sharron13 profile image
Sharron13

Hi Karemarriott I was the same I had to have an assessment. My council (Sheffield) will only accept one condition on the form and I have multiple so the woman said its best to put Fibromyalgia. However the physio I had was wonderful she couldn't understand why they said I needed an assessment and I got my blue badge. I hope you get yours sorted especially with the law changing for hidden disabilities with regards to the blue badge, take heart that everything will work out for you x x x

Blackwitch profile image
Blackwitch

Hi! I was trying to renew my Blue Badge yesterday & Wednesday & Tuesday & Monday! 😱😱 I ended up finding it much easier to fill in the form on my iphone and it gave far more room in each box to give information. Fine. I got right to the end and it would not accept my passport photo, stating the size wasn't correct. My husband & I tried about 10 (?) times, different sizes etc and it was still unacceptable and I tried a further half a dozen times once I'd pressed the 'No' button to say I had not attached a photo. I took screen shots of all the error messages, not one the same. It was 10.30pm on Wednesday night by the time it actually went through. I'm still waiting for an answer to my e-mail (attaching photo & 2 copies of ID).

My problem is that I have also put in a PIP application and have my assessment next Wednesday. I can't just wait for PIP to decide because by the time it does (& if I get the required award) my badge will have run out.

I'm lucky, I'm retired, do not have children to look after, have days here & there where I have enough brain clarity to fill in these never ending discriminatory forms designed to put people off from claiming benefits they need. It really makes my blood boil that the number of individuals who make fraudulent claims for any benefit, including Universal Credit etc, are negligible & it costs far more for DWP to 'catch' them. But, we all know that people with disabilities are easy targets.

🤬🤬🤬😡🙈 Rant over.

They don't call me TempleofDoom for nothing. xx

in reply to Blackwitch

I renewed my blue badge this week over the phone, it was just a case of paying the £10.00 asked them to use my current photo and they said that's fine x

Blackwitch profile image
Blackwitch in reply to

😮 Wenchyb! Where do you live? xx

in reply to Blackwitch

Staffordshire x

simpsonlover profile image
simpsonlover

I get assessed every time I apply for a blue badge. I have fibro plus other mobility conditions, but as I'm only on daily living, I still have to be assessed.

Karemarriot have you been awarded mobility on PIP? Your award letter for mobility should be enough proof for a blue badge x

Blackwitch profile image
Blackwitch in reply to

Yes, this is the problem I have. My PIP assessment hasn't been done yet! 🤬 x I must stop swearing, I must stop swearing.......... xx

in reply to

No I do not have mobility but over the past 18 months my condition has worsened and now use a crutch to aid me. My joints are swollen all of the time which gives my pain threshold a battering.

in reply to

Might be worth you applying for PIP then as the mobility parts entitles you to a blue badge if you score over 10 points xx

skit profile image
skit

The abuse of some blue badges it seems has made councils tighten up issue.

I have PIP mobility. I had to fight to get appointment before my badge ran out!

It was only a very experienced lady dealing with overload I got a cancellation or else I would have been without wheels for 3/4 weeks. I urge all start the process early since qualification paperwork might need newer copy never mind getting appointment!

Blackwitch profile image
Blackwitch in reply to skit

My Blue Badge runs out in July so I think I've given them plenty of time! I just think it's disgraceful how we have to fight for benefits. x

in reply to Blackwitch

My blue badge runs out 8th June and they sent me a reminder and I renewed it on the phone (Staffordshire) they don't even ask for a new photo they use the one they have on file for me

Blackwitch profile image
Blackwitch in reply to

I wish I'd tried that now! x

in reply to Blackwitch

Not all area's let you do it over the phone, I'm just lucky I live in one of the areas that do, this will be the third time I've not had to even send in a new photo x

Milynda profile image
Milynda

I had an assessment but it wasn't a problem.

mistymeana profile image
mistymeana

Yes, I've had my blue badge for several years but when I first applied I was sent for a physio assessment by my GP to help with their supporting letter as the physios have more expertise in assessing physical limitations and their impact on people. I saw a lovely chap who agreed pretty much straight away that I needed a blue badge and gave the GP all the info needed to support my application. I wouldn't worry about being sent for an assessment. I've found I've had more kindness and support from OTs and physios over the years than any other healthcare professionals. Good luck x

Shazzzy profile image
Shazzzy

I had an assessment too, standard procedure as it is based on how you are affected by hour illnesses not what they are, everyone's affected differently.

Everyone has to go thru it when first applying, otherwise more people would wangle them that need them, which can make it harder,for those who really do need them. You don’t go thru it all again for renewal.

It’s not an invasive assessment,/medical, they just need to work out if you can or can’t use public transport, & how far you can walk aided or unaided/ sticks, frame, wheelchair etc. They may try to test you, by saying you have to go up to the first floor- by stairs, just say you can’t, they may ask if you have a stairlift. They mainly work by set questions, & expected answers. It’s. ,focuses not on your,disease but on how it affects your daily living & how life would be improved with it.

I know most assessments’ now share basic procedures with everyone, but I think they tend to go by what you say on a personal level. Good luck.

in reply to

I've never had a medical or appointment when applying for mine, even the first year was just a simple form, it seems I live in one of the lucky area's, Staffordshire. I did have a home medical for my PIP x

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