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Date: 26.05.2011
From: Gillian

Subject: Blue Badge Refusal

I received a letter this morning from my local council saying I had been turned down for a Blue Badge.

Quote 'I cannot be sure your condition is permanent. The badge is issued for 3 years and the criteria stipulates you have to have a permanent condition'
Quote 'When we carry out an assessment we base this on the same criteria as Higher Rate DLA. As you have not qualified for this I do not consider you eligible for a Blue Badge'

What amuses me is the term 'I cannot be sure'.
When I rang to ask about a blue badge I explained I was not claiming any benefits and what was wrong with me and the lady I spoke to said I should apply as I had a disability.
Can't win I guess. I have an appointment with my consultant next week and GP week after so I will show them the letter and see if they will support an appeal.
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Date: 26.05.2011
From: Lee

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

DLA is awarded in a couple of ways ie mobility, carers allowance and disability i think.

My GF has disability as she has bad epilepsy and I think I get carer allowance but we dont qualify for mobility.

Im assuming then the council is looking at it that way, if you dont qualify for mobility then you dont qualify for Blue Badge but I could be wrong.

My mum is registered disabled for all 3 and got the blue badge.
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: mads

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

goodness Gillian i thought that it was the council's decision and nothing to do with dla. Do you have the energy to appeal?
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: Gillian

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

Hi Mads. I agree with you. It clearly states on the Council's blue badge page that you are automatically allowed one if in receipt of DLA High Mobility. If you are not in receipt of that you are assessed on need with medical evidence. I took my hospital appointment letters for the consultant and physio appointment letters which I had been attending. My prescription details. The lady that asked all the questions and who had the yes or no vote was a receptionist in an open plan office. She had no idea about RA let alone the medical needs and medication. I am going to appeal but will ask my GP/consultant for a letter supporting my application. Gillian
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

Lee, that's not true about having to qualify for high mobility in order to get blue badge. If you get the higher rate you qualify automatically. If not, they will assess you.

I was refused 1st time, sounds exactly the same as you. I got my consultant to support me and also my occupational therapist.
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Date: 28.05.2011
From: Lee

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

thanks for the clarification bsk. I wasnt sure if it was the case I could only guess from what I know about my mother who has a blue badge.

I think my GF's mother should look into getting one as I think she shouldnt be able to drive as her legs are bad with some infection alot of the time which keeps recurring and causing a lot of trouble.

I might actually suggest her mother contact the specialist and see if she can claim it and I know she wont but she should be medically retired now too.
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Date: 28.05.2011
From: Paula

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

Well first of all Gillian I would ring them up and ask about the 'I cannot be sure that your condition is permanent'. Ask if they know of a cure for RA and if they do (which like their letter indicates that there is a cure), ask them to let the NHS know then we will be able to stop taking all of these toxic drugs.

You can get a disabled badge without having to be on the top rate of mobility. I know this because I have enquired at my council and have been told this. I was told to put down my worst day and write about my condition and how it effects me.

I think that if it the decision was solely on if you do or don't claim DLA it would be so, so wrong. I know a lady who is very wealthy (a millionaire), she's got RA and got a blue badge, I would not think that she needs DLA, being disabled is not means tested. ie if you don't need the extra money you should not have to claim it in order to get a badge to help when you go out.

I would ring the council up and challenge their decision.
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Date: 29.05.2011
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

Sorry to learn your council turned your application down. I would re-apply maybe a junior didnt uderstand the words ARTHRITIS,( if only it was curable) DLA has nothing to do with the Blue Badge. You do not need to be in receipt of any benefits to obtain a badge i know this for sure as i had my badge issued before i ever claimed DLA. (thats another story still waiting on reply).Wish you luck.
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Date: 29.05.2011
From: Paula

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

I've been thinking about this and the same sort of thing happened to my father many years ago. He had broken his hip and they had pinned it back together at the hospital and he then had permanent pain in his hip and had to use a stick. His consultant told him he needed a blue badge (well they were orange then) and to apply. Some bright spark at the council refused him. How can a pen pusher with no medical knowledge know more about the needs of my father than his consultant? Anyway he appealed and got one, so don't give up.
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Date: 29.05.2011
From: Gillian

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

Thank you everyone. Without your comments I would probably not have bothered but am definately going to reapply now.
Today I am feelilng so bad and can hardly walk. I cant bend, turn or sit comfy. I was in tears this morning as I couldnt even lift my leg to get into the shower. Feeling pretty down. Gillian
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Date: 24.03.2012
From: Sue

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

I am in a similar position and have just been turned down for a renewal after assessment - reason I'm not on any mobility benefit and I don't take medication!
I4 years ago I suffered severely from Borrelliosis (lyme disease) and although recovered from the lyme I have permanent nerve damage in left foot which causes pain/discomfort on walking and also gives me a very unnatural gait. I have never gone down the benefits route because my employers have looked after me and accommodated my new physical disability providing work in the office, I used to outreach people with acquired brain injuries.
I have learnt to my cost that trying to maintain your independance does not do you any favours.
I can only go into town with my husband now so he can drop to as near to whichever shop I need. After 20 mins max in say M & S I have had enough.
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Date: 24.03.2012
From: teresa

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

Hi Gillian
My elder sister has a blue badge and. It expired 2weeks ago i rang the council for her and was told she needed a new passport photo plus I/d plus proof of benefits plus copy of prescription:I explained she has curvature of the. Spine. And to get her to the council office would set her back for days I was then told when she submits all the above she has a28 day wait too see ifshe is succsesful as it was up to the government now because of all the changes she.s had her badge. For over 20years.I have r/a and osteoporosis myself and was going to apply but that has put me right off sorry to go on but I think that's why they make these rules just too deter us
Anyhow i wish you luck take care
Teresa
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Date: 27.04.2015
From: trace

Subject: Re: Blue Badge ?

I have arthritis in both hips, and have a young daughter to care for , a house, a dog and a cat, to shop for and do everything for on my own, I struggle to walk any distance without pain, and not only that its all to do with feeling absolutely worn out all the time,from taking the painkillers would I be eligible for a blue badge . many thanks in advance,
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Date: 27.04.2015
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

hi trace

talk to your GP or CAB , they have the criteria to get a blue badge , think for you it depends how far you can walk without pain / having to stop , check the link below

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_cars_and_other_vehicles_e/consumer_driving_and_parking_e/consumer_driving_and_parking_for_disabled_people_e/consumer_the_blue_badge_scheme_e/who_is_eligible_for_a_blue_badge_w.htm
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Date: 27.04.2015
From: Eileen

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

Gillian, I was refused but I appealed. Last week I got a phone call to say I will be getting the blue badge.
I looked at the criteria for a blue badge and when I read them I thought it's a wonder anybody qualifies at all.
Persistence pays off but you must appeal within one month. I asked for that period to be extended as I had some hospital appointments pending. They kept my details until after I'd had the appointments and could give them further details so the one month isn't set in stone but you have to let them know.
You MUST tell it like it is. We Brits seem reluctant to say how bad things are.
I don't claim any benefits at all. Never have so I was a bit cross when I got turned down the first time.
Good luck.
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Date: 12.09.2017
From: john cavill

Subject: Re: Blue Badge Refusal

once you get to 65 your thrown on the scraphead nobody cares if you have problems ime 69 and just been told i have RA so cant claim a penny thanks a lot govt
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