Blue badge: Just a bit of information for anyone... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Blue badge

Whatgrange profile image
28 Replies

Just a bit of information for anyone who followed my blue badge questions some months ago. I’ve just got approval after about 3 months - which is very useful as I’m in the middle of a flare with extremely limited mobility! The new ‘hidden disability’ aspect of the badge seems to be working! So I’m off to pay my tenner and hope to be able to do a very little shopping on my own!

My very best wishes to you all, young and old, fat and thin, for as pain free a New Year as possible! May your elastic be springy and flexible!!

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Whatgrange profile image
Whatgrange
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28 Replies
SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

So glad you got it. They make it very hard. Well done for your persistence! ⭐️

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toSheffieldJane

Not half as hard as it is here! We reckon you have to be dead ...

Dontwannabesick profile image
Dontwannabesick in reply toSheffieldJane

First question if you try online is what benefits are you on. Answer 'none', I don't want any money, I just don't want to walk so far when I'm struggling, when I visit my hospital for my appointments I have to sit down and rest when walking from the car park to the clinic. They come back - you're not eligible. To be honest, I would gladly pay to be able to park in the blue badge area to save myself falling down.

in reply toDontwannabesick

I just want to be able to open my door wide enough to get out & know l won’t be blocked in when l get back. Not that l can walk very far at the moment anyway......

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

That is one of the things you should mention - requiring the door to be fully open to get in and out.

Whatgrange profile image
Whatgrange in reply toPMRpro

That’s what I thought initially and was very keen to put it into my GP assessment. This is not carried out by YOUR GP but a totally independent one. He was very understanding , and agreed about the problem, but said it was not one he was able to fill in on his questionnaire. There is not a space for it and I got the impression it is more of a tick box exercise. I think the time to mention it has to be on your initial application to the local authority, which I forgot to do and thought I could rectify at the assessment. The independent GP has no access to your medical records, so you’re starting from scratch. I suppose that the two sources are then compared to try to avoid any fraudulent applications.

Meggie22 profile image
Meggie22 in reply toPMRpro

My friend had this problem after a hip replacement, had to ask a guy passing by if he could reverse her automatic car our for her. Her GP was very helpful and she now has a blue badge.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toMeggie22

I parked my car at the bottom of a ski slope and came back to find some idiot had parked their car 10cm from my driver's door!!! Luckily even with PMR I can still manage to get in the other side and slide across - I ALWAYS slide the driver's seat as far back as possible before getting out. Now I will admit I'm on the wrong side (driving a UK car in Italy) but don't people look????

Whatgrange profile image
Whatgrange in reply toDontwannabesick

Hi, are you in the UK? How far have you ever got with an application? I’d be happy to be of some help if I can, based on what I have learned.

Dontwannabesick profile image
Dontwannabesick in reply toWhatgrange

Hi, just the first section online. As soon as I say I'm not on any benefits it comes back that I'm not eligible. I'll try again.

Whatgrange profile image
Whatgrange in reply toDontwannabesick

Are you using gov.uk?

Dontwannabesick profile image
Dontwannabesick in reply toWhatgrange

Yes

Whatgrange profile image
Whatgrange in reply toDontwannabesick

I’ve just gone in again and tried as if a new application. I think that after the first few questions, you’re filling in that you have none of the above conditions, when you should be ticking ‘ I cannot walk or have difficulty in walking’ which, from what you have said, I presume you have. Let me know!

Dontwannabesick profile image
Dontwannabesick in reply toWhatgrange

Thanks I'll try again later.

Dontwannabesick profile image
Dontwannabesick in reply toWhatgrange

WOW I just tried again and it's a different set of screens to what I saw before. I t now says I may be eligible. I'll get my documents together and give it a go. Thanks.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDontwannabesick

Sounds as if there is a gremlin in the works ...

Dontwannabesick profile image
Dontwannabesick in reply toPMRpro

Looks like a new version of the system now.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDontwannabesick

Now why doesn't that surprise me! Can one apply without going online?

Dontwannabesick profile image
Dontwannabesick in reply toPMRpro

Yes you can apply by post, but the new online system looks as if it will work.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDontwannabesick

That'll make a change!!!!!

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply toDontwannabesick

That makes no sense at all. Anyone, no matter their income, might need disabled parking. Can you get past the online sentinel and talk to a real live human being?

Whatgrange profile image
Whatgrange in reply toHeronNS

The blue badge is stand alone. It doesn’t depend on income or any other benefits. That’s in the UK, don’t know what you have in Canada.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply toWhatgrange

Sorry, I thought Dontwannabesick said s/he replied not on any benefits, and was told they weren't eligible at that point.

Whatgrange profile image
Whatgrange in reply toHeronNS

The questions are ‘are you on any of these benefits’ or ‘none of these benefits’. They are disability benefits and will help the decision makers to know to some degree the extent of any disability. I have none of the benefits and filled in that appropriate box. You then go on to the next questions about why you need the badge and how your condition affects you etc. When the form is completed it is sent to your local authority who are responsible for the scheme. There are questions there that apply to us with ‘hidden disabilities’. If I can help I would be happy to. Sorry this is a bit long winded but just wanted to explain the system in the UK.

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS in reply toWhatgrange

I'm sure there will be residents of the UK who will find your explanation helpful. Touch wood I have no need of any special parking. :)

Telian profile image
Telian in reply toWhatgrange

It does depend on some benefits in the UK - if you’re getting high rate disability benefits you qualify. The other way is to get your physio/occupational therapist to complete the form at assessment stage - that way it gets through the first hurdle. You have to state your worst days being every day.

A GP used to have clout years ago but think they rely on your therapist doing it now.

Whatgrange profile image
Whatgrange in reply toTelian

I was just given an assessment appointment, but there was no choice as to who did it. It just turned out to be a GP at another practice. Maybe they have a contract to do it. Or maybe it depends on the local authority - mine is Bradford.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDontwannabesick

The question about benefits is because the blue badge comes automatically with some benefits - but you still have to renew it.

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