Blue badges in UK

[edie_w]

Sorry this is a bit cheeky as it's not a Florida question but I think you guys will be able to help.

My DM has rheumatoid arthritis. Sometimes she's OK and can walk round the local park (a small park, and slowly) but other days she has it all on to walk from the car to the house. It's partly pain and stiffness, but also debilitating tiredness which I believe is one of the symptoms of RA.

I'm encouraging her to find out about getting a blue badge but she's a bit put off because a friend of hers apparently had his application refused (he's a bit more able than she is).

Can anyone advise me about the rules?

Thanks

[Bovril]

I just renewed mine today so have the form in front of me, so I know this is current.

Automatic qualification for a badge if you are; registered blind,receive higher rate mobility component of DLA,receive war pensioner's mobility supplement,have a vehicle supplied by dept of social security,or receive a gov grant towards your vehicle

If none of this applies then you have to be assessed for your eligibility, you have to have a permanent and substantial disability,have to say what the nature of it is,how it affects your mobility and list medication prescribed for it.You also have to say how far you can walk unaided,if you use an aid.What consultant you see and when you last saw them

The local council office will assess you and may refer you to a doctor for further assessment

It costs £2 and you need to supply 2 passport sized photos,signed on the back.

To be honest I know it sounds a bit of a performance,but it really depends on how strictly your council inforces the guidelines.Ours very rarely give the blue badges to anyone who doesn't have automatic qualification,others are less strict.

It may be worth your DM talking to her Dr about it,as they can write a letter saying she would benefit from a badge and then they tend to issue it with little problems

HTH

[DISNEYBRIDE]

Also, Dont Lie When Answering The Questions But Most People Dont Undrestand How Different Days Vary Alot So Answer Them With A Worse Day In Mind. Jo Xx

[loadsapixiedust]

If she does not have automatic qualification through receiving a disability benefit then her GP would be the one to advise. He/she will probably be used to completing these applications and should be able to give a reasonable assessment of her chance of qualifying. It sounds as though she could really benefit from a badge.

[cuteone]

She would have to apply under the councils discretion....base the form on one of her wost days with a letter backing this up from her gp.

[Petalsoftly]

My Father is 85 and he doesn't have any disability allowance.. he applied for the blue badge from the council and was sent a form to fill in. He filled it in and sent two photo's off, plus his GP's address. He now has his sticker. It was a simple as that. He does have medication and suffers with angina, but it was as easy as that.

[edie_w]

Thanks guys - I'll let you know how we get on.

[florifan]

My DMIL has a blue badge, she is fit as a flea (82), don't know how she managed it really!

She has arthritis in her hands and said to the GP she was finding it hard carrying her shopping back to her car from town, the Gp wrote a note in her application form and she got the pass a couple of days later.

it is very handy to be able to park near the shops for her and the spaces are much wider and of course it is free, i suggest she asks her GP to do the same.

[Lesley_Perschky]

It seems to vary from county to county. I work as a support worker in Maidstone Kent and they are very strict on applications.

[edie_w]

Quick update - DM now has her blue badge. Her GP was very supportive. Thanks for the advice guys. We can now go off to Gardeners' World Live next weekend - we thought we were going to have to give it a miss this year as there's no way she'd have managed it, but now we can park close and DM can hire a wheelchair. :thumbs-up

[Ebony]

Thats really good news. The forms/ councils can put a lot of people off applying. Having a badge can make life easier sometimes.
Dont forget she can use it on holidays as well.