Blue badge

[Hels1989]

I've just applied for my blue badge (I'm in the UK) anyone any idea how long it takes them to make a decision as to whether they think your eligible?

[nomoreheels]

I don't think there's any set length of time, I suppose it depends on how busy your local council offices are. From memory I think I got mine within a fortnight. Just a heads up though, do read the bumf that comes with it, where you can park & where you can't & double check when you do park too, not everywhere is free even though you have a BB.

[Hels1989 in reply to nomoreheels]

Ok thanks Hun. The application form was hard enough haha. Asking about distances in meters etc grrr. I'm guessing you mean it took you 2 weeks to get a decision? I don't understand how they can make a decision based on a form! At one point it asks distances you can walk but you can only give 100 characters!! I wanted to explain a little better to support my claim but nope! Is it really strict? X

[nomoreheels in reply to Hels1989]

Two weeks after applying the BB arrived in the post. I was fortunate I didn't have a form to fill in, in my area we have Tellytalk at the local library. It connects you via video link to a person at the council offices so you're actually talking to & seeing a person! They ask the questions & you answer & there's a camera which takes the pic for the BB. I did need proof of PIP, my NI no, a utility bill & passport (driving licence normally but it's the only other photo proof I have that I am me as I've held on to my paper driving licence) but it was simple, far easier than filling in another damned form. Re the question of how far can you walk I was asked if I could walk the length of a double decker bus or further. I'd didn't find it too strict but I prepared so maybe because I knew what would be asked & what would be required of me that helped.

[helixhelix]

I thought about applying for it when I was first diagnosed and could hardly hobble from bed to bathroom. However once I was on treatment everything changed for the better so in the end I never applied as I didn't need it. And if you don't get PIP/DLA then eligibity is more complicated and more strict.

Hopefully you might also find that once formally diagnosed and on treatment it isn't necessary?

[Hels1989 in reply to helixhelix]

Oh I hope to god I don't need one Hun. Thanks for the advice xx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to helixhelix]

I found going through the local council for a blue badge by passes the pip ( all they do is send a letter to your local council telling them to issue you one ) this way you cut them out and deal with the council yourself

[Bookworm55 in reply to helixhelix]

It is possible without being on PIP however. My cousin is mother to a 3 year old, works part time and claims no benefits but got hers with no problems. Btw she also recently got other mobility aids, perching stools etc but think you really have to push for these.

[helixhelix in reply to Bookworm55]

Of course, it's just if you already get PIP then it's easier. A lot of mobility aids can be provided by OT, so worth asking to be referred.

[hawker955]

My blue badge renewal took about three weeks. HTH?

[Sweetheart0377]

Did you do it through the local council ? X

[Hels1989 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

I did it online Hun and it said it gets sent to my local council yes. Xx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Hels1989]

That's the best way, saves trying to get one through pip . The ot with the council are so much more caring and understanding . If you don't hear anything by middle of next weds ring local council up , then they will chase it for you . All the best xx

[Hels1989 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Thankyou for the help Hun xx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Hels1989]

Anytime Hun x, been there done it and got the t- shirt lol xx

[Hels1989 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Do you have inflammatory arthritis? Xx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Hels1989]

I have rhuematoid arthritis x

[Hels1989 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

In your knees I'm guessing? Is you medication working Hun? X

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Hels1989]

No , takes ages to get into your system then it's playing around with the doseage , while surviving all the side effects too . 😩😩😩

[Hels1989 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Haha not selling it to me there Hun but I know, I'm terrified! I'm getting 'educated ' on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquin on Thursday then I start those. I'm so scared xx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Hels1989]

The methotrexate you either get on with it or you don't ( if you so that's great if you don't the side effects are horrible , you'll soon know !) lol . Hydroxychloroquin is great just wake up with a mouth as dry as the dessert !! But that's it , so not too bad , and works great . Xxx

[Hels1989 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Hopefully il do good and both will help! I can dream haha xxx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Hels1989]

If not don't panic there are other pills to try , like everything you have to find one that suits you x

Ps ask to be referred to pain clinic too they are amazing at help deal with the pain xx

[Hels1989 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Thanks for the tip Hun xxx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Hels1989]

Like you I'm learning , so if my lessons can help you get there quicker that's great xx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Do that through your gp x

[nomoreheels in reply to Hels1989]

I did fine on HCQ Hels, light sensitivity & dry eyes but it held the disease for the first year. MTX I've been on 8 years, speaks for itself! There are side effects with all meds, most common ones usually lessen the longer you're on them & you have the advantage of folic acid with MTX. Hopefully you'll be fine & settle on both &, more importantly see results. Try not to worry. x

[Hels1989 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks Hun I've seen many positive stories of people on MTX but it just seems such a scary drug for some reason. Glad it's working for you!! Xxx

[nomoreheels in reply to Hels1989]

Try to focus on the positives. I know it's scary but so's where you are now, you know I'm sure. x

[Hels1989 in reply to nomoreheels]

Very true Hun. Thankyou xxx

[helixhelix in reply to Sweetheart0377]

You don't do it through PIP - it's always via council. I just meant that if you have been awarded PIP then it's automatic that you get it with no extra assessment.

[Sweetheart0377]

I got asked to attend an assessment the ot , was so understanding ( I wish there was more people like that ) it got all sorted In two weeks and cost £10 and a passport photo xx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

Meant with their ot

[Sweetheart0377]

No need to be scared Hun just think they are going to help stop feeling this much pain and discomfort in the long run so chin up , you've got this far xx

[Hels1989 in reply to Sweetheart0377]

That's true Hun! And how I've got this far I shall never know. Hope you get sorted soon Hun!! Xx

[Sweetheart0377 in reply to Hels1989]

You too let me know how you get onnxx

[Lizard28]

My husband got refused his blu badge but he appealed and then had to go for an assessment. It lasted an hour and he had to go a walk with them, was very strict. In the end she counted his score and passed with flying colours. He got this before his pip. So don't dispair. Good luck that it won't be long before you get it, it really makes a big difference.

[benjijen]

I had one when I was first diagnosed but after treatment things weren't so bad. When it was up for renewal I had to go for assessment and no longer had enough points (it's a tick box exercise). They took it there and then! The main time I could do with more space is getting in and out of the car, but that doesn't count and I tend to park a distance from shop entrances now and use my stick.

[Neonkittie17]

I always go down and do it/renew it at the council offices then it's in the system and it takes about three weeks for them to print it and send it out to me due to volume of applications etc. xx

[Stephenlangtonriley]

Anything up to 4 weeks in London, when I first went they made me take the long route to the home bound bus stop, not understanding the consequences, when it was all done, that I had then to walk home, which took 15 times longer ( an hour and 1/2) than the first walk they made me take for going 100 metres, it was only 20mts by the direct route and I did say I didn't want to go their route. I only had to walk 300 metres from the final bus stop to home and their "test" totally messed me up. But of course back then I could do more than 20 metres every half hour!, more at the start and considerably less at the end.

I have learn't one lesson from all these systems, don't do it if you can't normally, no matter how well you think you are at the time.

[Ccrowlu]

I’m curious what a blue badge is...