Does anyone have any advice on completing the application for a blue badge? I’m pretty much in pain all the time so whilst I can walk, it’s always painful. The further I walk, the longer it takes for the pain to ease off somewhat afterwards. I can’t do steps without a stair rail and I can’t do inclines/hills at all.
Happy Easter and thanks for any advice.
Hi.
I don’t have lupus, but suffer from Rheumatoid arthritis, so on both sites ( lupus and RA ). When I applied for a blue badge I was refused as I didn’t meet the criteria ( I live in Wales and their guidelines have been altered away from inability with walking ). However when my wife got motor neurone disease we applied again, and it was refused ( not classed as a ‘terminal disease’ , you need to die within 6 months ). Sounds crazy doesn’t it?
Anyway we had to get my wife’s MND specialist to intervene with the council, and we got a blue badge eventually. My advice to you is - don’t give up at the first hurdle. Get a person who is familiar with the bureaucracy to complete the forms, and if necessary get someone with medical authority to progress your claim.
Best of luck with your blue badge application.
I was refused as I didn’t meet the criteria ( I live in Wales and their guidelines have been altered away from inability with walking ).
What on earth is their criteria then? The whole point of a blue badge is to be able to park close to the amenities that you need to go to because your mobility is such that you can’t walk very far. Therefore their criteria has to include that. If it does not then it might be worth sending the Blue Badge criteria to your head of council and ask them why their criteria differs from what the Blue Badge scheme is meant for.
gov.uk/government/publicati...
Hi. From memory after a discussion with a council employee, the criteria has been weighted way fro mobility more toward blindness / sight impairment. I also don’t qualify for pip. Did you notice that my wife who has MND was declined due to MND being classified as a not terminal illness? ( terminal is defined as dying within 6 months ). I think the real answer why blue badges are being declined is that there are too many blue badges in the system . The answer is too make as much fuss as possible, if you don’t there’s a good chance you will be declined.
The first time my hubby applied he was asked to come in for an assessment, they asked him all the questions again, it’s a bit like PIP, it works on a point system. They even took him a walk around the car park, it was a very hot day and not a good day for him, he had to keep stopping. When he got back to the office, his face was bright red and she had to get him a glass of water. He passed the test and was awarded the blue badge, it’s so good to have, some days I need it more than him but I know I would not pass the test, but keep trying for it especially if you are struggling.
My advice first is to get some professional help filling out the form - Citizens’ Advice, for example. You need to know exactly what their criteria and, and how you fit in with that, as well as how best to get it across. My next is to fill it out as if it is your worst day, not your best. We all have a tendency to say, ‘Oh, I’m mostly fine’ rather than let people know how horrific life really is. DON’T. Absolutely don’t lie - that is really important too - but don’t try to smooth over the bumps, either. It took me 3 goes and I had a broken neck! So my third piece of advice is: DON’T GIVE UP! Good luck!
Thank you!
My GP made an appointment for me with with someone from the praxis who filled the form in electronically & took the requisite photo. I had the badge within a few days.
Hi I live in Hertfordshire and I have always found it easy to apply for a Blue Badge and have never been asked to attend a medical. On my last application, I sent some recent clinic letters to confirm my conditions and symptoms (UCTD, PoTS and others). My advice would be to just go for it - you have nothing to lose.
Good to know - thank you!
Just a follow up to everyone who responded - I am getting a blue badge. I did send in copies of a lot of letters from rheumatology and orthopaedics, plus a copy of my prescriptions and truthful descriptions of my issues. That’s in Hertfordshire so a very prompt and efficient service as well.
Thanks everyone for their advice.
Loss of my Blue Badge
Rant! Disabled Badge Renewal
