Blue Badge Application this year

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

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.

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.

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.

DH had to take his med packets into the office as they would not accept a printout list from the pharmacy and wanted to see the dates of issue on the boxes. He put older and newer tablets into one box but disposed of the newer box so it was out of date. We went to the pharmacy and they printed out a new label and stuck it on the box for him. It is a good job the pharmacy is just across the road from the council office as he has difficulty walking. Hence the application for a blue badge. They did take his photo in the office.

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.

Dragonfly, letters from my consultant supported my Blue Badge application, when I first applied many years ago. Could you try that?

Surely your husband's DH knows exactly how unwell your husband is? I find it shocking he won't help.

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.

Fortunately I don’t have any disability that warrants a Blue Badge as yet, but my friend has a 30 year history of Parkinson’s and had only in the past few years used the blue badge as his symptoms have got progressively worse, this year however he was denied the renewal. My friend is unable to walk more than a couple of paces without his walker, is bent double, has advancing dementia & amongst other symptoms uncontrollable tremors. His wife had to fight the authorities to reinstate the parking pass for them to recognise that this non reversible condition is a true disability that people do not get better from

I applied for my Blue Badge renewal last year. All my conditions are degenerative, so won't get any better and are getting worse. I managed to fill it in, sent copies of all my medical records, everything they asked for. Then I received the reply that I would have to attend an assessment, not a medical. I was assessed by a girl that had no medical qualifications whatsoever and was duly refused my Blue Badge. I sent in my objection and was duly sent the blue Badge after it was assessed by a panel. Just a complete waste of time, I know they need to keep on top of cheats but they should at least have the knowledge of ongoing medical conditions that won't improve.

Filling in form on line, feel the same about asking GP
Can’t get appointment or speak to mine, no chance of getting a letter etc.

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.

I renewed my on line last year it was very easy and I am not good with technology. You can still get the paper forms from your local library well you can here in the north west. I have had a disabled badge since 1988 when it was orange and the only way them was having a form signed by your doctor and you had to go to the office in person and they took your photo . You still had to go too the office pre Covid where I used to live and had to do a walking test.

Sorry - should have read properly! She needs an up to date certificate of her disability/entitlement.

As a younger, disabled blue badge user, DD2 has to get a statement of a new disability/entitlement certificate from Blackpool (?) every time she applies.
It’s not really a hassle if she applies early.

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.

Still waiting for new card to come. Told that it could take 12 weeks. So BEWARE. Apply early.

I renewed my husband's blue badge in 2020, and again last Summer in 2023. Both times I did it online on my mobile phone. It was far quicker and easier than previous paper applications.

You can get help from Age connect,/concern , sometimes your local library will also have someone to help with this type of thing. Even more so if they are now a "community library" Worth asking before you start trying to fill it in. I renewed my husband's online and I had to provide some documentation . Which I did manage to scan in but it was a pain especially if you don't have the correct equipment at home.

I am due to renew mine later this year so it will be interesting to see how the process has changed in this area, if at all.

Sorry, didn’t make myself clear, I have completed the forms without help, I just didn’t find them user friendly. In my case because there was so much to fill in, multiple consultants in various disciplines, so many of my own files to check before finishing it. I was just concerned that there would be those who might give up,

keeping quiet I agree, I worked with computers for years, so I have no problem with that side of it. I am also used to interminable forms, I found the whole process very “clunky” maybe because in my previous existence I was used to using slick, user friendly documents.

Oops, no.
Its been deleted.

There is a new thread from a lady offering help with disability related issues.

It may be worth asking her.

Have you an AgeUK shop near you? Pop into there (or phone them) and some lovely person will fill the form in for you. They really are very helpful.