Blue badge ?

[Bazzypants]

Quick question do you have to be claiming benefits to be able to get a parking badge ? went shopping with my husband the other day the space was so far from the shop I couldn't face the walk so I waited in the car.

[allanah]

Have a look at parkingforbadges.com . The criteria is changing a lot but if you are blind or on high tier DLA you automatically qualify. It used to be if your GP supported you they would take it into account also .

[Bazzypants in reply to allanah]

Hi allanah, thanks I will look at that xxx

[allanah]

If you google there's loads of advice to on the government website xx

[Bazzypants in reply to allanah]

Thanks for that just been on there very helpful xxx

[jenwight]

Hi no you don't but you will probably have to go for a medical, I got my blue badge in October it took about 8-10 weeks from start to finish, I just filled in the forms and sent them off had to attend for a medical and 4 weeks later badge arrive, I don't claim any benifits - good luck it's well worth doing if like me you struggle walking

Jen x

[Bazzypants in reply to jenwight]

Thanks jen that great gives me hope on getting one xxx

[Ginsing]

You do not have to be receiving benefits to get a blue badge. Go to your local council office get form away you go

[Bazzypants in reply to Ginsing]

Thanks giris, I shall do that thanks for responding.xx

[Crazyjo in reply to Bazzypants]

Hi I got a blue badge before got my other benefits. I just filled in forms and didn't have a medical. Good luck with it x

[Bazzypants in reply to Crazyjo]

Hi thanks Crazyjo, I am going to try and get one if I can. xx

[terri10]

Hi, you don't need to be on dvla to get a blue badge, you just fill in an application form through your council. It does help if your on some form of dvla but doesn't matter as long as you pass there criteria. Xx good luck

[Bazzypants in reply to terri10]

Great thanks terri10.xx

[Hidden]

Hi Hunny. Good luck with this! I'm also about to apply for a Blue Badge as like you I so often end up staying in the car whilst my son does the shopping!

All the best

JoJo x

[Bazzypants in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lilac_lion, Good luck to you to keep me posted as to how you get on xxx

[Paulineg]

Hi buzzy pants. No you don't have to be on any benefits to have a blue badge. I am not on any benefits but do have a blue badge. Like you I struggled when doing the shopping but as my husband is totally blind I have to struggle on. I have started having heavy items i.e. cleaning items and drinks etc. delivered by a well known supermarket and it helps a lot. So go for it, get a blue badge and make your life easier. Good luck.

[Bazzypants in reply to Paulineg]

Hi Paulineg, thanks I will apply everyone seems to say the same that you don't need to be on benefits so I am going to try, some days I can walk ok other the shop seems miles away lol xxx

[Beverley-NRAS]

Hi Bazzypants,

If you want more information about applying for a blue badge or want to apply then you can do this at:

gov.uk/apply-blue-badge

Hope this helps

Beverley

(NRAS Helpline)

[Bazzypants in reply to Beverley-NRAS]

Great thanks Beverley hope I get some joy with it xxxx

[Hidden]

You don't have to claim benefits. I have had a badge for a year now. Filled out the forms and my GP supported me. Someone came to my house and she asked me questions, watched how I walked and that was it. It gets me closer to shops and has been a god send to me. Makes me far more independent!!

[Bazzypants in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks uist51, I am going to try get this badge think I need it xxx

[andrea-GN]

Hi, I have a blue badge and I don't have the required benefits. Apply online and tell them about your difficulties with walking. You will be asked to attend an assessment. This is how it happened for me and I was awarded the badges, so don't be put off applying.

[Bazzypants in reply to andrea-GN]

Hi andrea-GN, thanks for responding have looked it up online today and will certainly apply. xxx

[norfolkjo]

I have a blue badge I work and have no benefits. It took a month. Was just about my ability to walk. When I have help I dont use it. If on my own using crutches it is a god send. To the point where if I can park close I can use no crutches which is a big help

[Bazzypants in reply to norfolkjo]

Thanks for responding norfolkjo, I was a bit worried about the work bit but you still have to park so why shouldn't we get one. xx

[wendana82]

I got my blue badge last summer and I don't receive any benefits at all. My doc suggested it to me after I had a bit of hassle with parking at work. I filled out the form, my doc filled out his bit and I had my badge within 3 weeks and I didn't have to go for a medical, was surprised when it arrived in the post! I'm in Northern Ireland so it may be slightly different process here though. Good luck!

[Bazzypants in reply to wendana82]

Hi wendana82, thanks I hope that our southern council is as good as yours x

[earthwitch]

it used to be a much easier application with a medical note from your doctor, but it seems that all council areas are now moving towards a much more detailed assessment of need now, that seems to be fairly similar in a lot of ways to the mobility component of DLA/PIP. High level mobility DLA usually gets you it fairly automatically, but if you don't have that, then it can be a really long form - the last one I saw from our council area was more than 20 pages long. As others have said, they can also require a separate medical assessment. I'd say that if you were eligible for a blue badge, then you are almost certainly eligible for mobility component of DLA/PIP, so you might as well try for PIP as well.

[Bazzypants in reply to earthwitch]

Hi earthwich, yes I am thinking that my council wont be so easy at giving the blue badge, but you would think that a doctors letter would be enough then I suppose you get them that abuse the system and make it hard for those in need thanks for your reply xxxx pip will be my next hurdle. I was going to post and ask if anyone who is working is actually getting this pip ? xx

[SlimJacqui]

I do not receive benefits, but made sure I filled in all medications and problems with walking. I did not have to have a medical.

[Bazzypants in reply to SlimJacqui]

Hi thanks Slimjacqui, that's good seems that some areas are better than others and the difference in the way some get it has been surprising.xx

[Paulable]

HI, you do not need to be in receipt of, or entitled to any benefits. I completed the application form, submitted a medical report to support my claim and went for a face-to-face consultation (would not call it a medical). Muyn appointment was about one week after they received my application form and I received the blue bade within a week of the appointment. Be sure to explain how your condition affects your mobility rather than stating the condition(s). Good luck!

[Bazzypants in reply to Paulable]

Thanks Paulable, glad you got one think mine would be face to face also xx

[binlid]

hi i got mine by applying to local council and was assesed by a lady about 3 months later and two weeks after that received my badge it has been a god send though i do not use it for supermarket as thats a job i just cant do anymore but handy for docs and hospital applly you have nothing to lose good luck

[Bazzypants in reply to binlid]

Hi binlid, glad you got your blue badge, I will give it a go and see what happens. Seems that all council work I a different way.xxx thank you for responding