Some weeks ago I posted about I had been refused my renewal blue badge. Well, I’ve been refused again and it would Mean an appeal. I have rang the people concerned, but it’s going to take weeks if Not months if I ever get my badge back.
I am due to see my consultant soon, so I’m hoping to get an up-to-date letter from her concerning my mobility, but I’m not holding my breath here.
Thank you to all those that replied to my post. I will update as and when. It really is another construction on my health and my mobility.
so sorry for the moan, but I’m just so depressed about it.
Written by
orange33
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Yes, I’d ask your consultant to write and GP too to let them know how your mobility is affected. Don’t give up. Did they give you any reason for the refusal?
Apart from all the letters and GP letter I’m still mystified why myself.
However, I was under the impression it was to do with my walking considering it was the blue badge, but no, I’m wondering if it wasn’t to do with my whole being
Example not being able to cut up my own food, which is just one of the many conditions I have now. I’m now getting another letter off to them and I hope that they may reconsider I will in due course. Let everybody know of course and thank you so much for all your letters. I do appreciate all your help, thank you.
It’s ridiculous, it’s not as if you’ve improved. You have a condition that is in gradual decline. It’s also absurd we have to reapply every 3yrs, such a waste of tax payers money, paying someone to reassess chronic illnesses. If they stopped that, they would be able to process new claims quicker.
I s never bothered claiming for pip, despite being very limited, just purely because I can’t be bothered fighting. I have adrenal insufficiency, which means stress can have me spiralling downwards, so it’s not worth it. I had a severe stroke, which is how they found the AI as it was caused by an adrenal crisis. Then I have lung issues from years of uncontrolled inflammation and fused ribs, meaning I have no chest expansion, and get out of breath easily. So my any other issues too. I like to think I’m in control of them, and not that they are in control of me. If the process was less stressful I probably would apply. Fingers crossed for you 🤞🤗
I hope one day you can find the energy and strength to go for PIP as I’m very sure you’d qualify. I do understand though as it was many years before I did too. A very dear, severely disabled friend said to me .. you really need to do it … and she wore me down (asking nicely of course!) and I agreed to.
I tried for pip twice ,both times scored 0, which is crazy as I can't even prepare food as hands bad, can't move around as pain in joints. I give up its always a struggle to get help.
You have score a certain minimum (8 points I think, for PIP mobility element) and there are only a couple of questions now these days re how far can you walk to achieve the 8 points minimum. They aren’t interested in that some people can walk every now and then, but they are in agony and distress in so doing. There used to be an answer where you could say … yes I can walk ten metres but I am in pain in so doing. They used to ask before how long before it hurts when you’re walking. No longer asks that.
Maybe try PIP again at some point and get the expert advice online as there are some fair and honest websites where they guide people to submit the info the PIP assessment team want to see. Often a lot of vital info is omitted when applying. Yes, it’s a beggar if you’re on your own and can’t cut food. Can limit your choices. I cook meat/casseroles in a slow cooker and no problem cutting or chewing as it falls apart as so soft and tender.
Sadly anything like can’t cut up food isn’t taken into account for a blue badge. I see you’ve had letters of support from your doctor. I’d reiterate to your medical people that you haven’t got any better or improved mobility and in fact got worse as Runrig has said too. Keep at em. It’s horribly stressful, but they want you to not contest it. Good luck. 🩷
You aren’t trying to get anything you don’t deserve. Just tell yourself you’re going to succeed and tell them you have not improved, and you feel worse. Ask your rheumy to emphasise that. Do you get PIP but I feel if you did and had been awarded 8 points or more in the mobility section you would/should have automatically qualified, but that isn’t the sole criteria for the Blue Badge? 🩷 x
I was able to get the Blue Badge as I am on PIP for both care and mobility.
One useful tip might be to note some of the phrases used in assessing for PIP, namely safely, repeatedly and flexibly. For PIP if you can't do something safely e.g. without it causing a lot of pain then this should be counted as 'can't do it'
Repeatedly - if you can walk a certain distance but can't repeatedly do it or can't do it without causing significant pain or difficulty (Less that 50% compared to normal person) then counted as though can't do it.
It is east to say well I could do... such and such.. butt in reality you can only do it very slowly with help, and would be unable to repeat it that day. Each local Council should have information on their websites about Blue Badges, criteria etc.
I would contact them to find out why it was refused as you’re maybe sending the wrong information and you can then send them what’s needed, for example, as has already been said, being unable to cut up your food etc isn’t the info needed it’s your mobility evidence. Keep on at them 🤞🏻
Yes I’ve sent them letters proof ihave RA and other health conditions plus GP letter . By coincidence I will be seeing my RA consultant in a fortnight time so hopefully get a more recent letter. Thank you for your reply.. this would have been my third Blue Badge!! X
Sadly having a disease is not the qualifying condition but how it affects your mobility. A blue badge is issued by the Council not DWP so they won’t have any of the records of the DWP. I think that they must have sent a letter explaining why you’ve been refused and those are the only reasons you can appeal on. Did you get interviewed ? because it’s hard to understand a refusal without really good reason which they must justify. I know it’s hard but cutting up food is nothing to do with mobility and would be disregarded as immaterial it’s purely mobility issues. I’d urge you to go back to the refusal letter and see if it’s not a simple matter of you left a vital chunk of information off the application form. I really hope that you do get it restored as it’s stress you could do without.
thank you for your kind reply. Yes, I agree with you. You can leave a very good life even though you have rheumatoid arthritis. I was quite well until peripheral neuropathy kicked in that’s when everything went downhill.
I have a walker and a mobility scooter without them. I would be a prisoner in this house. I’ve been told I haven’t given Them enough information on how this affects my mobility. !!
Then that is the answer it's not been refused because you don't qualify but they don't have enough information. They aren't out to get you or make life difficult and frankly a letter from GP or RA team won't necessarily help, you need to provide information. Did you answer all the questions on the form, how far you can walk etc as some people here have scooters then get off to q for an ice cream. It doesn't mean that they don't need it but might mean that it's a convenience rather than a need. I think it's good if they are cracking down and catching the cheats especially the badge owners who loan to youngsters in the supermarket car parks etc. But sadly those cheats mean that stricter attention must be given to all applications. Owning an appliance doesn't mean that it's vital to get around.
In your case you know it is, but the Council doesn't. So talk to them ask if you can reapply and plead ignorance that you thought because you had the scooter etc that was enough. Now you understand that you need to give more information and see what they say. I think that you've left something off or the form is far from complete so can't be processed and that means a refusal. Each application stands alone your prior ones are not taken into account. So contact them and if you need more help PM and I'll try.
That’s such a shame, I’d go to citizen advice and get help to fill in a form for PIP. If you got that on mobility issues you would probably get your blue badge no problem. It’s all to do with points unfortunately, when my husband appealed he had to go for a face to face with the blue badge people, she counted the score in front of us and for some reason she marked it higher this time after the assessment. I know PIP is a pain to fill in, but it’s worth a try, just get help to do it. Best wishes
Yes, definitely go to see or phone CAB if refused PIP or BB or consult the online sources of info. Can’t recall the names but I’ll look up in a mo. I used one when doing my PIP as I am a really good form filler and express myself well but you as you know, you must satisfy their specific criteria (and it’s easy go off on an irrelevant tangent! We’ve all done some of that, even the most efficient of us! 😁 )
At my last assessment for PIP the lady who was excellent (as she’d been a physio for RA) told me what points she thought I’d get from her assessment and said if they accept all I’ve said then you’ll be fine. She said I’m recommending you get the award. It shows from your hubby’s experience that it is really worth doing the appeal re BB or PIP too, but I do get that some people are far too stressed out to do it. 😑🥲 x
As others have outlined above, it's all about your mobility issues when applying for a Blue Badge and providing documentary evidence. I use an up to date PIP award letter (have to phone the DWP to ask for it each time). Do you get PIP, 8 points or more for mobility? Local Authorities can differ slightly in their qualifying criteria, but having just looked at my LA, these are their qualifying criteria:-
'... you must have an enduring and substantial disability. You will need to provide evidence of this.
Automatic criteria
You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged three years old or older and at least one of the following applies:
Are severely sight impaired (registered blind)
Receive the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
Receive a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme (within tariff levels 1-8). You must also be certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes an inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
Receive 8 points or more under the 'moving around' descriptor for the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres. (The badge will be issued to the expiry date of your award if it is less than three years, alternatively you can apply through the discretionary criteria).
Receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance. (The badge will be issued to the expiry date of your award if it is less than three years, alternatively, you can apply through the discretionary criteria).
Receive descriptor E of the 'planning and following a journey activity of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which states "you cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress".
If you are terminally ill and one of the above applies, please provide your DS1500/SR1 form and we will fast-track your application
Please note Attendance Allowance is not a qualifying benefit.
As part of your application, you will be asked to provide supporting documentation as evidence of your qualifying benefit.
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. Anyone over three years old may be eligible if they either:
Drive a motor vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and are unable to operate all or some types of parking meter (or would find it very difficult to operate them).
Have an enduring and substantial disability that affects mobility and has considerable difficulty in walking. For example, this could include conditions such as heart failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Experience considerable difficulty whilst walking which may include severe psychological distress. For example, this could include conditions such as severe anxiety and agoraphobia.
Are at serious risk of harm when walking or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person. For example, this could include complex mental health disorders, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
You may be asked to attend an independent assessment. You will be notified of this in writing during the course of your application.
The disability experienced by the applicant must endure for at least three years. We do not issue badges for temporary disabilities or conditions and the requirement to open a car door wider does not form part of the Blue Badge criteria.'
Maybe think about what evidence you sent last time and how it compares with evidence you sent this time? Good luck with your appeal.
Thank you so much for your reply very informative. I do not receive personal independent payments or PIP. I do have mobility allowance. I think I have had to think outside the box because I tend to ignore the fact that I am disabled so therefore I cover up a lot.
Unfortunately I come for a long line of relatives who are very stubborn recognising their own health matters. Once again, thank you for your very informative letter and very much appreciated.
I was the same and thought I wasn’t that bad really, until a disabled friend said .. you ARE bad. Sounds like you are a positive person/a glass half full person as I am and then you think .. oh I’m ok.
That sounds really stressful. The whole process of re applying in the first place is stressful enough. I would suggest talking to citizens advice who have people who can help with filling in forms so as to give the correct information they require. They helped me many years ago when I had to take ill health retirement because of RA. 🤞for your appeal.
I was turned down for a Blue badge despite only being able to hoble. I was later awarded the PIP lower rate for mobility which thankfully automatically qualified me for one. It’s been a real help.
Keep trying and as others have said, maybe look for some guidance from CAB, Turn2Us and Benefits&work etc. Good luck
What are you saying ? What’s been ignored ? The OP said that the LA stated not enough information provided. They haven’t ignored what they haven’t received.
They do not get mobility allowance, they meant AA and they haven’t the strongest evidence or they wouldn’t be asking them for more information. You can’t possibly know they’ll be given it in minutes or do you actually know them in person.
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