Blue Disabled Badge application

[xanderma]

My mother recently had a heart attack and has been left unable to walk more than about 150 meters without assistance and/or a rest.

I have spoke to the Local Authority for advice, and as a result I'm taking her to the local Social Services office to apply for a badge.

However, I was told by the LA officer I spoke to that the general rule of thumb is that if she can walk 20 meters unaided, she is deemed fit enough not to need a badge. Does anyone have experience of this? It seems too silly to be true, 20 meters is no distance at all!

I don't want them to refuse my mother a badge as this heart attack has obviously been life changing and she now needs help she never needed before. Can anyone advise what she should do/say for the best chance?

[filibuster]

I have had a Blue Badge for years because of my disablement and when I first needed one, I had to ask my Doctor to recommend me for it. Your mother's Dr is best placed, in my opinion, to know your mother's needs better than anyone and his/her support would be invaluable.

I hope the application is successful.

[ladyalex]

Agree with filibuster. Your Mum will need the support of her GP.

[themas]

I agree a GPs support ought to help, but I think the procedure was changed some while ago and people now - unless they are already on certain disablement benefits - have to undergo an assessment which determines the outcome.

[xanderma]

Thank you for your answers. I've just returned from my mum's house and persuaded her to get her GPs support - she's of a generation which doesn't like to "bother" doctors with such matters!

According to the forms, they will often seek a GPs opinion before issue, so it can only help to get there first. She is a genuine case - more so than a couple of "disabled" friends who have badges, goodness knows how but that's a different matter...anyway, I just want to give her the best chance as I said.

As an aside, the advisor I spoke to at the LA said the Social Services staff will often watch people getting out of their cars on their way to apply, to see how able-bodied they are - more bunkum, there's a world of difference between being able to climb out of a car and being able to walk to the shops - but that's another matter!

[xanderma]

Yes, In-a-Pickle, I think that's the conclusion I've reached too. Trouble is, you know what parents are like, she'll insist she'll "probably be OK" when she's not at all! Anyway, I've had some good advice here, so thanks for taking the trouble everyone.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

sounds very much to me,that you want the badge more then your mum.

[xanderma]

Of course I do so I can take up a disabled place while leave my bairns in the car while I go buy my ciggies n beer....or is it just that my mum is too ill to tackle these things herself and needs a bit of help from her family?

You decide...oh, seems you have already. Always rely on prats like you to stick their unwelcome noses in.

[xanderma]

Oh, and not that its ANYTHING at all to do with NORMAN THE PRAT, but I won't be using the badge at all, it's for my dad's car so that HE can help my mum.

[Info Bank]

Where I live to get the Blue Badge you need to be getting the Mobility component of DLA or Attendance Allowance.

Hope this of some help.

[xanderma]

Yes, that's what I'd heard as well, but looking at the forms from our Local Authority, it doesn't necessarily follow. If you're not receiving these, you can still apply, but they may need further information, such as from the GP. Also, you have to attend in person which is what mum's doing (with my help) next week.

I was really more concerned about this daft "20 meters" thing as mentioned in the initial question. I'll just see what happens, I guess. Thanks for replying.

[bigmamma]

Hello xanderma , I think they have to be sure that the disability is permanent too .I have a Blue Badge and did get a doctors letter to them . I am on DLA .
I think filling in the forms are very difficult and the "how far can you walk " is hard to judge. I mean , do they mean before discomfort or before you can't take another step !
I had help from the Citizens Advice Bureau to fill my forms out . Good luck love , and all the best to your mum . x

[Info Bank]

This may be of some help especially the decussion forum part.


http://www.bluebadge.org/thebluebadge.htm

[Info Bank]

Any More news on The application???????