Well that is a suprise, I got an email saying my application for a blue badge has been succesfull. I only took 10 minutes to fill form in and told the truth so thought I'll not be approved !
So I'm pleased to have it as it'll make life so much easier but sad that I need it. I never dreamt that in a year life would change so much, but its not down to the RA but my kidney failure. Oh well just remember to takr it with me now....
That’s good news 😊 Should make life a teeny bit easier.
Hurrah!!!! Finally a stress free easy system.😁😁 it will make life easier
You need this badge so don't be upset because of it. I am sure you have worked all your life and paid your taxes. So you enjoy your new found freedom.xxxx
I unfortunately do still pay tax on private pension ! LOL xxxx
I have one and it makes a huge difference. Enjoy.
Hi medway-lady,
I applied online for a badge at the beginning of the month to my council WDC, and I have to go for an assessment!! I was told to take ID, OK!! And also any medical letters, so I said to my husband, they want letters they can see the lot, so along with my bulging PIP file that's got everything in it, as I photocopied everything, I will also take with me all my hospital letters, I can't believe that even though I do get PIP I have to yet go through another bloody assessment!! 😥 Still it can't be as bad can it as PIP?? anyone!!
I am very pleased that you have got your badge it will make a difference for you, however it's a shame that you need one, as we all understand!!
X
The only benefit I get is Old Age Pension but I do have a large private pension so no experiance of applying only working with benefits. I did email a copy of last consultants letter and put down distances accurately too. It did ask why it was needed and the benefit to me if I got one and I put down the truth that it helps me keep my independance. Our Council do the form online and it really was simple to fill in and to also email list of medicationd too. I'm gratefull but sad too, my son came up with lots of posatives and made me laugh too. I hope you get yours its a shame these forms are not universal.
Hi Ajay
So are you thinking, that I shouldn't be having assessment if I get standard pip?? That's why I thought I'd take all my paraphinalia in and chuck it on the desk 😂 haha getting so bloody pissed off with this bloody desease!!
Thank you though, I am gonna tele WDC on Monday
X
Hi Ajay,
I will check out on Monday!!
What, Even though I only get standard pip, and not enhanced mobility??
Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention!!
I will let you know how I get on
Thanks again
X
Thanks
X
This is what it says on my local authorities website. I assume it’s the same everywhere.
Automatic criteria-
Receive 8 points or more under the 'moving around' descriptor for the mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
I was only awarded standard rate, no points for mobility!! So that's probably why I guess??
Thank you Kitty
X
Discretionary criteria-
If you do not automatically qualify, or if you wish to be assessed under the discretionary criteria, the council will need to assess your eligibility for a Blue Badge.
I’d check your local authority website although I don’t think they would all have different criteria but you never know.
Good luck. 🤞🏻
I was approved too. I don’t claim any disability type allowances. First time I applied, I was turned down. Second time, I added biologics to the meds list and it was approved.
I try not to use it and in, Norwich spaces are few and far between anyway so end up getting a taxi. When I’ve needed it though, like this week as I have flare in my knee and can barely put my foot on the ground, it’s been priceless. I wonder if criteria differs by postcode.
Good news! I also applied in February and got it with no assessment, and it has made an enormous difference - such a little thing but shopping and park and ride suddenly became do-able. People do look, as I probably used to do - but it makes us all more aware that disability isn’t always visible. Enjoy your new-found freedom!
The daft thing was, before I was prescribed biologics, I could barely walk anywhere - it was miserable. Adding biologics obviously is on the 'list' as a tick box criteria - but generally, I'm much better now (except for right now in a flare, haha!) Strange old system.
When I went for mine after years of resistance, I was told being on biologics was the clincher. So if you are, make sure they know
It was for me. When I really needed, the two years prior to biologics, I was turned down. When I added biologics, I received one. It's a bit skewed really!
I was told that it indicated the severity of my RA. Big relief and a psychological leap for me.
I've had one for a short time so far had 3 tickets for forgetting to put it in the window oh dear cheaper to pay for parking
Did you have to have an assessment??
No I did'nt. x Not on Biologics yet either.
I'm wondering if different council's have different guidelines?? I'm gonna go for the assessment anyway, it can't be anything as bad as the PIP assessment, I'm not going to worry about it anyway!!
Thank you for your response
X
All these replies have made me seriously consider applying. My husband is always on at me to but I thought I was too mobile.
Hi Kitty
It's not only how mobile you feel you are, think 🤔 outside the box, ie:feet/ankles/hips/hands/wrists/fingers, when somebody has parked too close to you, how you struggle because you can't fully open your door, and the difficulties using those pay machines!!
You should seriously consider it Kitty, I agree with your husband
X
Thanks Pinklamb, that’s helpful, all of those!! I’ll start making some notes and sort out my xrays and letters. Let us know how you get on at the assessment x
I did not put that down, it was not necessary if its not being asked. Nothing to do with parking but mobility so as its not what was asked be careful guilding the lilly as it were. I simply wrote in response to the questions how far I could walk and that if I took a break I could walk further but it took time. I get short of breath and it is true but no xrays, no swellling as hands in my case do not affect me walking; I do that with my feet .lol
They asked about medical conditions as expected and that was listed on last hospital letter along with medications. My local authority had a very simple form and you don't pay the £10 until they let you know your approved. So its a win win situation but now to find a blue badge spot to park in...... it'll be like finding hens teeth here even in local hospital car park.
I haven’t checked what they ask yet. I will answer whatever they ask 😊
I got an email on Thursday saying my application had been approved without assessment . I can’t have any biologics so they must have just gone with my medical records .
I don’t even drive , I only wanted one so I could get a bus pass 
Are blue-badge holders entitled to bus passes, or is it dependent upon postcode?
I had a bus pass for a year through the form being signed by my nurse .The bus pass people really didn’t like that and only begrudgingly accepted it as evidence. I’m on the borders east/West Sussex . The blue badge is accepted as evidence of lack of mobility along with medical letter confirming diagnosis of substantial and long term disability .
Presume it’s similar elsewhere .
I applied for a badge and was successful. I am on biologics, along with a wide cocktail of other meds, so it was interesting to read others' comments where this may be part of the criteria for approval. It's the little bonuses it brings, getting in an out of a car in a tight space is painful, walking long distances with shopping, etc., etc. People often blatantly 'check' that I am displaying a badge - as we all know on here, disability is definitely not always visible but I have no intention of explaining myself to nosey passers-by!
Congratulations you got one finally.
Great news, so pleased for you. Don’t feel guilty, if you have a disability you should have one. Daily tasks can be difficult , so I’m sure this will be. Great help to you. X
Congratulations on your Blue Badge.
Just a minder for renewal, Medway Council no longer send reminders.
Apply six weeks before expiry.
Thank you will put a reminder in diary. They made it so simple so grateful. I'm not moaning about the CTax bill anymore.lol I am one of their pensioners and life despite all the problems is looking up.
Just need to loose the extra pounds put on with steriods now. Walked away from a M&S bit of chocolate cake this morning. That was hard......
Thankyou for your replies,
Yes that's what I said to kitty, you do need to think 🤔 outside the box, we have a disability even though we don't like to think about it like that, and our condition affects us in so many ways both physical and emotionally, and as a result it massively impacts on all aspects of our lives......
X
Make sure you list all your meds, not just your RA meds, apparently each medication scores a point.
Hi, So glad you got the blue badge I have not tried same as I have not filled in DLA form because I think it will be a lot of hassle but I know it would make life a lot easier. Enjoy not having to walk to far especially when things are heavy. Good Luck! 14penny
I do not get any disabilty payments or any sort of state benefit except my oap so my advice to you would be to apply for the badge, if they say no then its cost nothing and if asked to go for an interview then thats ok (I was'nt asked to do anything) but as it'll make life easier it has to be worth it. I've read medications score points I'm not sure about that as kidney issues like mine are not medicated. Its a wait and see approach.
What I think is its best to be frank and I did not go into opening car doors etc just answered the questions about distance I can walk and I had to give details on a point to point distance. That was easy as this is a private road and I know how long or short it is , so I walked it and noted how I stopped to get breath back. Put on form and sent it off. I'm so looking forward to being enabled to keep my independance with it. xx
Brilliant news, I’m sure it will make a significant difference.
Can I ask, how long did it take to come once you’d submitted your application online?
My council are a waste of time. My first application took 14 weeks then got asked to attend an assessment which I could not make due to a chest infection, informed them so they said they would send me another date which I did not receive. Then got a phone call to say that I missed my appointment and will have reapply again. There have been a lot of issues with the blue badge system from our council . Ps I have copd with emphysema, pulmonary sarcoidosis. Pernicious anemia. I get the higher rate attendance allowance and my wife gets Carer’s allowance and I have been told I probably won’t qualify. Awaiting the next chapter, but not holding my breath.
I got one too. I said ( to myself)I wouldn’t use it very much . But I have had so many bad days since I got it I have had to use it more often than I would like.🥺🥺🥺
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