BS: Blue Badge requirements

Subject: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: GUEST,Mudmember anon for personal reasons
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 12:33 PM

I hope the joe clones will let this one pass. I would rather not post as me.

I know of someone who has had RA most of her adult life. She is in her 60s. She has had 5 or 6 operations to correct and/or replace various joints. Her husband was her carer until just before Christmas when he passed away. She has been a blue badge holder due to her mobility issues for years.

Last month in its infinite wisdom the county council took away her blue badge (for non UKians - parking permit for people with disabilities). Every so often you have to undergo an assessment to determine your need. She failed (or passed?) as the requisite for walking certain distance has changed.

Apparently there is no appeal.

Can anyone advise how she might go about getting her blue badge back? She never had more need of it now that she has no partner/carer to drive drop off/collect her. I am thinking they decided now she has free bus pass, she doesn't need the blue badge any more.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 01:11 PM

In the US, there are two types of ID...a full license plate, and a small card one hangs on the rear-view mirror. The card is used for cars where more than one person drives, and not all need it.

Sadly, both types are widely abused by folks who do NOT have problems using another's car.

Perhaps there have been similar problems in the UK, and that is why regulations have been tightened. I'm sure there must be some sort of appeal process, with a doctor's affirmation included?

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 01:57 PM

The Blue Badge is actually a picture ID inside a large wallet that you display on the dash board, putting in the date and time you have entered a disabled parking space.

It can be transferred from car to car for good reason, because some holders are dependent on a number of carer/drivers.

The problem is that county councils can change the parameters of the assessment, which I don't think is fair. Also what may pass for disabled in one county comes no where near in another.

As I said, I suspect the assessor assumed that since this lady just qualified for free bus pass because of her age, she should not need blue badge. She does drive. She does have a car. But this is not much use to her, if she cannot make the walk from regular parking place to her destination.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 02:12 PM

damn.. I outed myself. hope the friend doesn't see this.

anyway...

found this requirement which she would apply under.

Do you have a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking?


This is marginally different than previous wording which I cannot remember and cannot find. I don't think RA is considered permanent and "substantial" is pretty subjective. I am relatively sure the previous wording did not include "very considerable" when describing difficulty in walking.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: gnu
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 02:53 PM

Arrrrgggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!.... increase the allotment requirements for designated spaces for such parking and assign permits based on a simple system of need. It ain't rocket science! Our politicians need a good swift kick in the arse... or out of office if they can't fix this simple problem. Golly gee gosh!

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 03:52 PM

god... I had been thinking about applying for one because the feet and hips are in real bad way. Walking aids aren't much good since I have it in the hands and wrists too.

I just don't want to go through the assessment. Too demoralizing, especially from what I have been reading via google. Poor elderly mums being made to climb stairs and walk along stretch of road until they collapse then made to repeat test after 5 minute rest. People needing pain meds and 2 weeks to recover from the assessment. Doctors getting angry and having a go at social workers who put their patients through the wringer.

I can see why the woman I talked about doesn't want to appeal the decision.

I am wondering if it is like everything else. You really can't have anything unless you are willing to fight for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 03:56 PM

Here is the government guidelines website about this

While there is no official appeals process the guidelines suggest that "You may ask the council to reconsider the case if you think that not all the important information was taken into consideration at the assessment." That could be backed up by evidence that the condition had not improved since the time the badge was granted.

And in practice there can be a formal appeals procedure - for example from one council website: "However Brent Council recognises a person right to complain and as such there is a procedure. Should you require any further assistance in this regard please contact this team."

The basic rule in anything like this is "never take no for an answer". Maybe the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society could advise.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 03:59 PM

I am sure that there is an appeal process - Jeff was masterful at playing the system.

However, the present conservative (oops, New Labour) Government was determined to deprive people of all sorts of disability benefits, so that it could avoid taxing its rich chums, so all of the tests were systematically tightened. Your MP should be able to assist.

And if you think that's bad, wait to see what happens if the Eton party gets a majority at the erection.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 04:55 PM

Now is the time to lean on your local MP, and on her or his main opponent as well, what with an election looming...

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 05:07 PM

Poor mite... I don't see her leaning on anyone or fighting for anything.

But I will pass the information along.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Mar 10 - 07:58 PM

Sometimes you need other people to do the fighting. Campaigning and support organisations, or individuals who are a bit bloody minded and persistant.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: gnomad
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 05:35 AM

I can understand that the authorities may need to "tighten up" a little (I do know at least one case where IMO a badge is in use without real need) but any such move must have clear guidelines, nationally applied, and a proper appeals process. No testing applied should be having the effects described in VTs' post of 3.52pm.

What would make a real contribution would be more effective control of the misuse by non badge-holders of badges belonging to other people. That abuse is widespread, and while the introduction of a photograph on the badge may help, the only thing that will really improve matters is for all of society to condemn the misbehaviour, as has slowly happened with drink-driving. If this abuse ceased I believe there could be a more generous attitude applied to the question of granting/not-granting a badge.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 05:56 AM

I am a Blue Badge holder, as is my wife, both of us the victims of arthritis so severe that the only car either can drive is an automatic. "Stick shift", with the requisite de-clutching, is not an option.

I am appalled by the IMO ever-increasing numbers of people who will park in a designated parking space, with never a hint of a Blue Badge.

So much so that I have had printed a wee card to slip under the windscreen wiper :

"You have my parking space. Would you like my disability to go with it ?"

[Now wait for the organic matter to make the acquaintance of the air conditioning device . . . ]

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: Morticia
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 12:47 PM

People needing pain meds and 2 weeks to recover from the assessment. Doctors getting angry and having a go at social workers who put their patients through the wringer.


Social Workers do not assess for Blue Badges in any authority I have ever worked for, nor is there any reason why they would or should. Some authorities involve OT's or clinicians but no social worker would involve themselves in a physical test of any description since we are not qualified to.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 02:19 PM

When in doubt, Social Workers are always liable to be blamed for just about anything that goes wrong.

One of the problems with designated parking spaces is that much of the time - for example in supermarkets car parks or most multi-storey carparks - the designation doesn't have any legal status. The people running the car parks could probably stop it happening, but often enough they don't bother to.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 02:56 PM

I can't find in my search history where I picked up that social worker reference. Likely it was on one of the many arthritis forums I've been reading. And may have been a second hand telling of what happened to the poster's mum. There have been plenty of angry people complaining how their elderly and infirm parents have been treated by blue badge assessor's.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 03:17 PM

Be skeptical about any statement that begins "In the US...." simply because such things are bound to vary from state to state.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: Morticia
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 03:35 PM

I'm sure there have been a lot of complaints but actually, it is a little wearing to find that they are always laid at the 'social worker' door when we have had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 08 Mar 10 - 04:09 PM

Morticia

I did not mean to offend. I think the average punter who is not directly involved with care applies the one size fits all label "social worker" whenever the council sends anyone out to deal with any aspect of someone's health / quality of life.

I know how bad a beating social workers in this country are taking due to hyper reactions in media and public. It is often thankless typically difficult and emotionally draining work. I worked with mental health social workers and have nothing but respect for people who have the balls to do this type of work.

I wonder if assessment requirements vary by county council. I just do not understand how the woman (described in OP) could have been denied her blue badge, given her condition. I mean, her partner/carer helped her dress, cook and clean house because her hands and feet are so deformed and in pain. Now he is gone, she needs more care not less. I am stunned.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: Morticia
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 02:23 AM

Requirements do vary from county to county as was stated earlier. She needs to appeal,she should also contact her local councillor and/or MP, that usually moves things along.

I'm not offended VT, I'm just challenging assumptions made against a much misunderstood and underrated profession.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 05:54 AM

They aren't supposed to vary, since the same criteria apply for Blue Badges across the whole country - but in practice they do. In principle this should lay councils open to legal challenge in some cases.

A complicating factor is that some councils, in the past at least, have had their own schemes in addition, which can be less stringent than the national one.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 09 Mar 10 - 01:20 PM

write letters to the editor etc. about the assessment itself if people are made to walk to the point of collapse, presumably after a doctor's report has been submitted. That is elder abuse. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: banjoman
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 10:59 AM

I may have misread the earlier part of this thread, but I wonder if the Lady in question is (or was) in receipt of the higher rate mobility allowance part of DLA. If so then there would be no question of her entitlement to a Blue Badge. She really should look for some professional advice and ask her doctor to intervene. This is a subject very dear to me as I am a Blue Badge Holder and I am very involved in disabled rights issues.
I think this is just some bureaucrat exercising their muscles.

What part of the country are you in? If it were local to me I would take up the cudgels.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 01:42 PM

There is some speculation that having just bought the motability car she had been leasing may have queered the application. I have passed on the info that she should appeal to the county council and write to her MP. Also suggested that her adult kids get involved. They are very supportive and live locally.

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: banjoman
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 05:32 PM

If the badge was refused about the time that Motability car was changed then she shares the same problem that I had when the county council would only offer me a badge for the 3 months remaining till the exchange. It was resolved when I managed to find the original letter from the DWP advising award of Mobility Allowance. The fact that she has a car from Motability suiggests that she is in receipt of the Mobility Allowance and hence is entitled to the Blue Badge.
Let me know how she gets on - I'll give you my email address if you want to get in touch

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 07:18 PM

Hi. I don't have time to read the full threads so I hope I'm not covering old ground.(It's way past my bed time!)

I just had to make two points ...

1. I'm not sure about other counties, or if it is a nationwide issue, but free bus passes are being withdraw here in Nottinghamshire from the 1st April.

2. She should get hold of Social Services to get them to make an appeal for her. They always seems to know what to say.

Hope that helpos

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: BS: Blue Badge requirements
From: Arnie
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 09:35 AM

I have a Blue Badge and it was my GP who told me to apply for one as I'd never thought about it. I applied online, giving my GP's details and authority for my medical notes to be consulted. Within about a fortnight, a blue badge arrived through the post - no physical, no interview, nothing. I've since renewed it, again without any hassle. Like other blue badge holders, I wish I didn't need one. However, if you do need one then the council should not be putting obstacles in the way. I live in Kent, who seem to be quite enlightened in this matter at least.