Applying for a blue badge

MissOops applied for one last year, with the GP letter it was very straightforward and she received it within 2 weeks.

I had to renew mine on line , I’m still remembering the questions ! The photo , the hysterical laughter as DD and I negotiated the site ! But it is here , complete with the ghastly selfie !!! The original had a better likeness done by the local Pharmacy, well not a scary ?

I just applied online ..uploaded my pip award letter and my photo ( which my DD took) .... I found applying for the free car tax much harder......do you have someone who could help you navigate the online form? Mine arrived within a week

We applied for a blue badge a few weeks ago for DH. I asked the GP for DS1500 form, filled in a form on line with a photo I took of him, and photo copies of all the relevant paperwork, sat back and expected weeks of waiting and probably some dissembling, but the next day it was approved and I sent payment on line. The day after that, it arrived in the post! Most surprised but very relieved.

Judy54

Mr J has finally been given a blue badge but what a palaver it is to apply for one. You are discouraged from applying other than online and the questions are mind blowing. I believe that the supportive letter from his Consultant helped enormously. Do any of you have a blue badge, how easy or off putting did you find it to apply for one?

Absolutely impossible to get one where we are unless you are in receipt of Attendance Allowance and have meals delivered, even with a consultant's letter.

Those we see parking on double yellow lines, slapping down a blue badge certificate on the dashboard then leaping out of the car must have lied on the application form.

I’ve had one for many years. I use the online application, I find it easier than a paper form. I list the difficulties I have, upload a new photo and the badge usually arrives within a week. I don’t know if they contact any of my doctors, the first time I applied I sent supporting evidence but I don’t now. I think I would have to pay for a doctor’s letter but I would supply one if asked to.

I found it very easy online and got it quickly

Callistemon21

Judy54

Mr J has finally been given a blue badge but what a palaver it is to apply for one. You are discouraged from applying other than online and the questions are mind blowing. I believe that the supportive letter from his Consultant helped enormously. Do any of you have a blue badge, how easy or off putting did you find it to apply for one?

Absolutely impossible to get one where we are unless you are in receipt of Attendance Allowance and have meals delivered, even with a consultant's letter.

Those we see parking on double yellow lines, slapping down a blue badge certificate on the dashboard then leaping out of the car must have lied on the application form.

It depends on your condition, not what benefits you’re on. If you’re in receipt of the mobility component of PIP it’s automatically awarded. If you’ve been refused ask for a full explanation and try again with your GP’s support. And those people slapping down blue badges may have hidden disabilities - Crohn’s disease or a stoma for example.

I have just renewed mine, extremely easy to do.

Just one point - it’s easier to get a renewal of blue badge if you apply before the current one expires, so start the application process if you’re within a couple of weeks of expiry.

It depends on your condition, not what benefits you’re on. If you’re in receipt of the mobility component of PIP it’s automatically awarded. If you’ve been refused ask for a full explanation and try again with your GP’s support. And those people slapping down blue badges may have hidden disabilities - Crohn’s disease or a stoma for example.

We've a friend with Crohn's and I know it can be debilitating but she is so much fitter than DH.

He asked why when he was refused and told he could go to see an occupational therapist to help him (and how much would that cost?).
GPs are just not involved any more.

It depends on your condition apparently not here.

My OH's went through "on the nod" because he had Parkinsons. At the time when he got the badge, I was less mobile than he was!

When he died I applied for one in my own right - it was refused on the grounds that I was "not in enough pain" - this was tested by the fact that I was able to walk from the only car park at the test centre to the front door. I had no choice but to do this, as how else might I have got to the door? It hurt like hell, but the fact that I did it at all was sufficient to turn me down.

I could have laid it on with a trowel and groaned and grimaced - that is what I will do next time.

I think it also depends on where you live.

Serendipity22

I think it also depends on where you live.

And whether or not you have to pay.

They are free in Wales but we're not allowed to have one.

My daughter had a long wait and hard time trying to get one for her 14 year old daughter who is now a wheelchair user. Now struggling to get some kind of disability allowance.

I have had one for many years. Initially I had to produce evidence, one piece of which was a report from that particular LEA' s occupational health officer, As I was one of their employees, they couldn't dispute it.

In recent years I have applied online and I got it in a few days.

DH got his fairly easily. Was assessed by physio employed by council who sanctioned it (had consultant's letter) and said he would not have to re-apply. Been a great help as he can't walk far.

It makes me very cross that it varies from area to area and that it is such a fight depending on where you live.

What helped me to get it easily in later years, I suspect, is that I have multiple comorbidities and my conditions are deemed as progressive, so I have no chance of improving, since that initial assessment.
If I had to provide medical evidence, that wouldn't be a problem. Some may be in dire need, but don't have the medical evidence to back it up, which is unfair.

Thanks everyone for your replies. We don't need anyone to help us navigate online LOUISA1523 because as I said Mr J has already been given a blue badge. I was just asking if anyone else had found it easy or off putting. Anyway we are extremely grateful to now have this as it will make a big difference for Mr J.

Some may be in dire need, but don't have the medical evidence to back it up, which is unfair.

The whole system here is unfair, Marydoll.
Even medical evidence counts for little if you don't have Attendance Allowance or meals delivered.

I had one in the UK and thought it might be not too hard to change it to a Spanish one, especially as we were still in the EU at the time. Wrong, so very wrong. Doctors letter then 3 interviews with a phycologist, physiologist and independent doctor. I was accessed as 45% disabled. I have a nice card o say so.. You need 30 % for a blue badge which you can then apply for! It wasn't easy in a foreign language!

Yes callistemon21 the system does seem unfair if it varies from area to area, I was not aware of this. As Pammie1 says it depends on your condition not what benefits you are on (or at least it should). For the record Mr J does not receive attendance allowance nor do we have meals delivered, being granted a blue badge was purely on medical grounds It is sad to learn that there is not consistency across the country for this.

Mine was granted, purely on medical grounds, which is probably fairer.