Blue Badge under hidden disability rules.

[Trevor78]

Has anyone done this. I've lost passporting through DLA (declined to apply for PIP) and my BB runs out in Dec. The online process is a right pain. I'm down to how long can you walk and where to question? The only walking I do is short and with my dog who provides psychological cover for my anxiety and allows me to stop at will for composure. Other than that I drive everywhere. I can walk reasonably at times but with the drawback of all of the hidden effects (residual paralysis, anxiety, tiredness, safety etc) of a TBI that isn't consistent with such a narrow question. I thought that hidden disabilities would allow for a more flexible understanding system? I certainly haven't found it and don't know how to answer those questions. Anyone had any experience or got any ideas?

[sospan]

One thing that you will find is that the "Blue Badge" application is now a subset of the PIP application. So if you get the entitlement to a BB then you are part way to PIP.

The process is more or less the same as it was before, if you get the mobility part of PIP or DLA then they use that as a basis. If you don't have either then they will write to your GP. So I would start with your GP and ask if they will support your application for a BB.

[Trevor78 in reply to sospan]

Thanks for the reply. I can see the logic but would have thought that the new BB rules would be a bit lighter and more aligned to DLA criteria rather than stringent PIP.

I've just had a quick scan through

assets.publishing.service.g...

[sospan in reply to Trevor78]

I wouldn't go searching government articles, seldom does the content get implemented

Having go through this recently with my wife's BB renewal it is very much aligned to PIP than anything else

If you search on the forum (top right) and put in Blue Badge, you will see some 700 responses. Because of the widescale abuse of the BB system they are quite rightly tightening the criteria and raising penalties for abuse.

With the changes, if you "just" have a symptom it doesn't mean you automatically get a BB. Now you have to prove it demonstrably affects your ability to walk and get access to places. One example on the search results was someone whom had "asthma" and because he didn't detail how it affected his walking, his application was rejected.

The problem is, for some conditions where you are a driver, there is a level where you could be eligible for a BB but deemed unsafe to be in control of a car. It is a difficult balance

[Trevor78 in reply to sospan]

Well I decided to put in the application and evidence and that got approved. There is a lot more flexibility than with PIP, and to some extent DLA, or the process just seems slightly more forgiving. In my time I've filled in all forms (DLA, PIP, BB here - although I never sent in PIP) and the tone here was more DLA IMO. If I could put into words and get any walking discounted due to my physical & mental difficulties (I'm always honest in saying that I can walk and get around) with PIP then I'd possibly have a chance of getting a good award there?