Blue badge holders

Unforunately you need to be getting DLA (I think its higher rate for mobility) to get a blue badge (at least it was when I looked) I can barely walk anywhere but was only awarded lower rate and couldnt get a badge even though ideally I need one. You could phone them to double check incase they have changed it now.

I think you should apply for the DLA, you dont need to be not working.

I have also been looking into this as I have ME and Fibromyalgia but according to my boroughs rules I'm not eligible as I don't have a "permanent" illness (despite the fact that I've had it 10 years). I asked them after what period of time they considered it to be permanent and they couldn't answer me.

I'm feeling a bit bitter today, sorry.

Hope you have more joy than I did!

Oooh I thought it was the other way round, you could only get DLA if you werent working...

More reading up on this I think ...

Aha just found this hidden away somewhere

If you do not meet one of the “Eligible without further assessment' criteria, such as being in receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance, your eligibility will need to be assessed by your local authority. The assessment arrangements are for individual authorities to decide but you will be asked to answer a series of questions to help them determine your eligibility. The authority may also ask your permission to seek further information from your doctor or ask you to see an independent health professional, such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.

Well Ive seen a physio and a rheumatologist so fingers crossed.. Its a long way from the car park at work to my building and if I had a blue badge Id be able to park nearer - which means Id be more able (ie less tired) to do my work - might contact the security people on site and ask if I can park nearer without a blue badge actually....

Thanks both

KT - hope you have more luck soon, jsut seen your other post on this and it sucks

ILS - thanks. Have you tried your HR department? Not sure if they'd be able to help but parking nearer to your building is a necessary consideration for you to manage to continue doing your job isn't it? Might be worth a try.

You can't get incapacity benefit if you work, DLA doesnt site working, but I think they take it into account and if they think you working means you arent as bad as you say they will probably send a dr out.

https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit

Http://aka.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/bluebadge/bluebadgeresearch/previous/bluebadgeelightml

This is a bit weird, it only mentions fibro under the mental health section..

Taken from the relevant page -

Beyond the realms of classic psychiatric illnesses, there are many conditions that are based on constellations of symptoms which have been recognised in the American Diagnostic Manual, including people with disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain syndromes, fibromyalgia etc, who may sometimes be awarded Higher Rate Mobility component of DLA even although evidence of a physical disease is lacking. These conditions sometimes do not command universal medical acceptance. While such controversies are irrelevant to current deliberations, it is important to acknowledge their existence.

KT maybe you should refer your borough to this..

Will try and contact my council about this

Again thanks both

Thanks but unfortunately I am a contractor so dont have an HR person.. work and my agency are both aware and are doing all they can to help...

Ooh thanks for the link, I may try to push it a bit more then.

Glad to hear that your work are so understanding, it's very refreshing actually!

This might help https://www.co-opmobility.co.uk/ there is a thing that allows you to assess yourself for DLA and it has details of how far they say you should be able to walk to get higher rate (under 70 yards)

I've had DLA since I was 16, and have worked in that time (though not working now). They may be more strict now, but were happy to go with what my doctor said-its more about how far you can walk than if you can work-I could work, just not at something that required me to walk about all day.

I also thought you could ask your GP to write a letter saying you couldn't walk x distance and you could get a blue badge. Again, that may have changed, and people have obviously put links to the 'proper' info.

Blue badges are on the discrimination of each local council and the criteria do vary - my advice would be fill in the form and see how you go. At worst you will be refused it and at best, get one.

You can get DLA while you work, as long as you fulfil the criteria for the DLA award.

You can also work while getting Incapacity Benefit too, but must be registered with the JobCentre and be classed as 'therapeutic' but can be paid.

Well yes but thats only 16 hours a week and not the same as proper working. But Ive been looking and IB is now Employment and Support Allowance so probably totally different

We had a temporary blue badge late last year due to H's arthritis and his having touble with walking long distances. This is what we did.

We got a form from the DVLA which he took to the doctors. They had to fill this in for him to state what he was capable of e.g. distances of walking etc.

He then took this form back to the DVLA along with a passport photo and they sorted it out.

Although I do have to state that this was in Guernsey, but the rules are pretty much the same. Also this was for a temporary one so you will possibly have to do a bit extra.

Also like to add a disclaimer that my mum works in the office so she knew all the ins' and outs' for us which really helped.

Certainly apply, you might be suprised.

DLA is often paid to people in work, so give it a try.

Incapacity benefit has been replaced by Employment and Support allowance. I currently get this as although I am still employed, I been off for so long that I've had all my (28 weeks) of SSP, and ESA is the extension of this, although you do need to satisfy the medical criteria too

Thanks all ?

Ive printed off the blue badge forms and have all but one question filled them in (how does the pain affect your mobility? I hate filling in long questions as I never know what to put)

Also had a look online at the DLA forms and have done all the easy bits but am now too tired to concentrate on filling in the longer ones so will have a go at the weekend

The question of how far I can walk and for how long has baffled me a bit, cant say Ive ever got a tape measure and a stop watch out when Ive walked somewhere, though I might have to start now... Im useless at judging distances like that - Id say Id walked miles when in fact it was about half a mile... Lol

One tip I was given by my Macmillan nurse when filling in my DLA form, is to imagine filling in the answers on the worst day you've had in the last three months, and that's a fairer answer than trying to "talk yourself" into being better IYSWIM

Thanks for that unfortunately today is one of the worse days (pesky physio tortured me this morning and ive been in agony ever since - supposedly helping me but I feel worse) so I wont have any problems saying how I feel but its the getting down what I want to say on paper - somehoe I never seem very literate when it comes to writing stuff

Thats one of the tips I used too, another is to make sure your doctor knows the truth rather than just a good day IYSWIM, as they will need to write about your condition. There are some guides online for filling in the form. Its often about how you say it.

My brother works full time, but he has a blue badge as he had a knee replacement and now has limited mobility..He lives in Merseyside.

Hi ILS, I live in Hertfordshire and I volunteer as a counsellor for a charity based in Welwyn Garden City, called Hertfordhire Action on Disability. They run a blue badge clinic which assits people with their applications and another volunteer Elaine, who will help you to complete forms for benefits, she is lovely. I am happy to put you in touch if you would like.I don't know where abouts you are in Herts but if you would like to know more, please get in touch. I have claimed for DLA and got the Higher rate so got my blue bade automatically!

Here is a link for HAD's website , which will tell you more about the service.

http://www.hadnet.org.uk/

Pig xx

Ooooh thank you, that would be great, Im currently in Ware but will be moving to Essex in about 2 months (or when H gets his finger out and hands his notice in) Will pm you if you dont mind

Absolutely, please feel free to PM me, like others have said you can get DLA and work, I have had mine since I was 17 and have always worked fulltime. DLA is awarded in at different levels lower, middle and higher rates and is for help getting around.

Am always happy to help, as it's an area I feel passionate about, hence my work with HAD!!!!

Bah its not letting me pm you stoopid hitched

Thanks

Got it, if you wanna delete your email. Am just having dinner and will email you.

Thanks, goa and have dinner in peace and Ill reply either later or tomorrow...