Blue Badge Application this year

044allweknow, that system would really not be useful for somebody like my husband. I, pretty fit, drive him, but I can't leave him on his own while I park elsewhere. He needs someone with him.

Are these new processes? Up til now when I have applied online, when I say I have DLA with the higher rate of mobility, I don’t have to prove anything but just upload the renewal notice.

icanhandthemback, having higher rate of DLA means you have already been assessed and obviously have mobility issues. Why would anyone question that?
For first time applicants, it must be much more difficult.

I was deemed unfit to work by my LA occupational health doctor and when I renewed my Blue Badge soon after, I handed in this information along with the application. The fact that the application was for the same LA, where I worked, meant no-one could dispute my eligibilty.
Ever since, it has been so simple. I renewed it last summer, no questions asked.

Thank you, MaryDoll, I was hoping that was the case.

Marydoll

I renewed mine online last year. This was the easiest it has been in twenty years of applying.
I knew it could take twelve weeks, so applied in plenty of time.
It arrived in less than twelve weeks.

Yes this, mine too I have just done mine end of April

Salti

044allweknow, that system would really not be useful for somebody like my husband. I, pretty fit, drive him, but I can't leave him on his own while I park elsewhere. He needs someone with him.

Does he not want or is not able to come with you? The badge is for his use, so you can both leave the car if you want to. It just means he cannot walk very far. I never left my husband in the car as I at the time was fit myself and could push him in his wheelchair.

Cazza1953

I applied for one a couple of years ago as my arthritis in my feet and knees is getting worse, stopping me from walking very far. I was told I needed confirmation about my condition from someone but not my GP. Fat chance of that when you can’t even get to see a GP. I just gave up and struggle on.

If you have got an official diagnosis you will probably have some paper work to prove it no doubt, you can use that, any consultant's appointments or the like does the job, but you obviously have to have an official diagnosis.

dragonfly46

I have just tried applying for a Blue Badge for the first time and I am finding it very difficult. Age UK will not help as it is all done online now. I filled out the form and got an email back asking for more information. I went to the GP but they won't fill it out as we have not actually been to see them about my DH's mobility problems as we didn't see what they could do to help.
We now have made an appointment to see the doctor so they can assess him.
He is 80 and cannot walk more than a few yards before needing to sit down!
Normally I wouldn't bother but we have a number of hospital appointments coming up and it would be very handy!
Friends who have them don't seem to have jumped through as many hoops.

Citizen's Advice do form filling. Are you a registered carer? if so they will help you complete the form. Age UK visited us and did both my partners and mine originally as the first application is quite inclusive and the right wording is required, particularly to get the higher element.

4allweknow

My DH having applied for a Disability badge only had to have a form signed by GP. I do acknowledge the need for such badges. What I found and infuriated me was the misuse of the system. The rules where I live, and each issuing area can be different, allowed a person to use a Disability parking space to be offloaded and then the driver if not also with a Disability shoukd move the vehicle to a standard parking space. The amount of times I have witnessed people getting out unaided, leaving a driver sitting in the Disability space and waiting, and waiting, on the Badge holder returning. See it constantly at shops, hospitals, theatres, just everywhere. These spaces are not waiting areas, they are for drop off, pick up unless the driver is the Disability card holder and is alighting the vehicle. Now has a £20 charge for my LA issue.

That would not work if you have someone with dementia in the car, who needs to see where you are all the time. You can pop in to a shop right next to the parking space in the high street for example and they can still see where you are. It is allowed and acceptable certainly in our LA area.

This is what I mean. Some disabled people need constant supervision, and cannot be left alone, and what about wheelchair users who need someone to push them, are they supposed to "offload" the disabled passenger and then park elsewhere before returning.

Not a renewal but my first blue badge. I printed off the application form, filled it in and attached copies my 2 MRI reports and GPs letter from consultant. Posted it with £10 fee. Blue badge received 3 weeks later.
I didn't want to complete it on line as I wanted to be able to add comments at the side of 'boxes'.

Salti

This is what I mean. Some disabled people need constant supervision, and cannot be left alone, and what about wheelchair users who need someone to push them, are they supposed to "offload" the disabled passenger and then park elsewhere before returning.

No that is not the intention, I would never leave my husband alone anywhere except for briefly running in to a small shop where he could still see me. Even then he used to knock constantly on the window until I returned. You have to apply the situation to your own needs within reason without misusing the system. I find it is the parking which is a minefield, where you can or can't park, you have to bee so careful as every LA is different. I have got caught twice. Here where we are you can park in loading bays, but other LA's do not allow that. If you have double yellow small lines across the era you cannot park there, they are often quite difficult to see. Some spaces are restricted to less than the 3 standard hours allowed. I got caught in the city outside the library who only allow 2 hours. You really need to be extra alert before parking. I find that quite worrying and I am now always treble checking before I leave the car. WE have one council car park in the city which is free for blue badge holders they rest charge, it is just crazy.

I've given in.
The system is difficult and extremely intrusive.
Surely a letter from a Hospital Consultant should be evidence enough? Why does a clerk at the County Council need access to all my medical records?

My husband has just done an online renewal for a 90 year old friend. No problem. Certainly no medical was needed.

I'm assuming it must be different for different councils because the one I was sent a link too for my renewal was quite simple. My 11 year old did it for me in about 5 mins because my phone wasn't working properly and couldn't upload my ID. It's just a case of answering some basic details, giving the current badge number then sending across any documents they need.

Because the last twice that I've renewed my husband's badge he has been over 90 years old, I don't know if it's just been easier online or if a clerk with a modicum of common sense has thought " Well I don't know any over 90 year old that can walk any distance", and just issued it.

I imagine it depends on your eligibility criteria. I renewed my son's earlier this year, second time doing it on line. He qualifies because he gets PiP mobility component and the whole process was straightforward.

The aplication for those applying on other grounds has always been more onerous and requiring input from the GP and potentially an assessment

win

Cazza1953

I applied for one a couple of years ago as my arthritis in my feet and knees is getting worse, stopping me from walking very far. I was told I needed confirmation about my condition from someone but not my GP. Fat chance of that when you can’t even get to see a GP. I just gave up and struggle on.

If you have got an official diagnosis you will probably have some paper work to prove it no doubt, you can use that, any consultant's appointments or the like does the job, but you obviously have to have an official diagnosis.

I was going to post the same thing Win.
Saying your arthritis is getting worse isn't really enough information.
There are also different types of arthritis. R.A is a progressive disease, so there is no doubt one's health will deteriorate.

You can apply for a temporary one if you are awaiting a joint replacement.

Despite saying in the past, that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis and COPD. that still wasn't enough information. You need proof of your conditions to be considered eligible.
Now I have so many things wrong, there is no disputing my failing mobility.

Calli, I have never been asked to give permission to access my medical records.

Marydoll it is not the GPs fault because we have not been to him concerning my DHs mobility problems. They have just crept up on us and we also thought the GP could do nothing to improve them. We are now going to have a mobility assessment.
I do pity anyone applying online who is not computer literate.

Calli, I have never been asked to give permission to access my medical records
Marydoll I think we have a very difficult person dealing with applications here.

The decisions seem to be arbitrary depending on which Council area you are in.

GPs no longer sign the forms.

I applied a while ago but was turned down. Apparently I'm too fit.

henetha

I applied a while ago but was turned down. Apparently I'm too fit.

Message your local Councillor.

I would find life simpler if I had a Blue Badge but I don't think I'd get one. My problem is that parking spaces these days are small and I can't open the door wide enough to get out unless there's a space next to mine. I have a small car but parked next to a large one really makes life difficult and sometimes I have to drive away. It's very frustrating. My legs and back are not very strong and I have problems walking even though I have a stick. Any thoughts welcome.

We used to have an estate car and my husband had got to the stage where he was really struggling to get out. When we changed our car we got a much higher one. Now instead of having to pull/push himself upwards to get out, he slides gently slightly downwards, which he finds far easier.

I hadn't thought of that, Callistemon. I also applied for Attendance Allowance and was turned down. I launched an appeal and was again turned down. Again, they said I am too fit. Just how unfit do you have to be?
I will definitely contact my local councillor.