Blue badge - permanent disabilities only?

emmiemac

Just got a letter through today saying I've been refused the badge.

Basically says that while my illness is bad enough to get a badge, because my illness may not be permanent (I have M.E.), I am not entitled.

Seems ludicrous to me as they make you reapply for the badge every three years anyway to make sure you need it! And have been ill for 5 years with pretty much no change.

Am so so angry about this.

Anyone any ideas what I can do about this?

Emmie

Broken_hearted

Keep fighting

bernesemad

So sorry to hear your bad news, each local council seems to have a different application system which isnt fair at all.Firstly, can you go to the office (social services) that deal with your application and see what they say? Do you have any medical support from a hospital consultant?
I am no expert on this, just trying to give you a bit of help.Maybe see your gp and see what he has to say and if he will support you? There should be a way of appealing the decision, but because each area is different, I cant tell you how.
Good luck with it all and as people say - keep fighting

Ted_Hutchinson

emmiemac wrote:

Just got a letter through today saying I've been refused the badge.

Anyone any ideas what I can do about this?

Blue Badge - how to appeal
I don't think you automatically have a right to appeal but maybe your LA are prepared, as Hants do, to reconsider decisions.
If this doesn't work
WriteToThem.com - Email or fax your Councillors, MP, MEP or MSP ... as it's possible that a bit of pressure from your MP or local councillor will persuade them to see sense.

There is some opinion which regards ME/CFS as an autoimmune condition. The organisation Direct-MS has useful information about the importance of vitamin d/omega 3 on their website and nutritional information which may help with your autoimmune condition. Improving Vitamin d status (regular sunbathing) and eating more sardines/pilchards (omega 3 anti-inflammatory) may therefore help your muscle tone and fatigue problems.

Penny-Pincher!!

I have a Blue Badge but do not get high rate mobility DLA. I should ask for a re-considertaion as my disabilites are much worse now and have had a stairlift fitted, but am unsure how to move forward

PP
xx

Broken_hearted

You don't need to be on high rate mobility to get a blue badge your doctor can recomend you for one.

Ted_Hutchinson

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

I have a Blue Badge but do not get high rate mobility DLA. I should ask for a re-considertaion as my disabilites are much worse now and have had a stairlift fitted, but am unsure how to move forward

PP
xx

It's probably worth joining Benefits and Work to get an up to date DLA guide. Given your local authority social services have recognised the severity of your walking/stair climbing problems you should have no difficulty getting DLA High Rate Mob. If you still have contact with the Occupational Therapist who assessed you for the stairlift she would be a good person to ask to support your DLA claim, otherwise do make sure that when you apply you also send your named health professional a summary of your DLA claims. (there is a form at the back of the Benefitsandwork Guide that can be used for this)
Although you can just download a claim form from

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (This link will take you to the Directgov website)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children under age 16 (This link will take you to the Directgov website)

it's probably worth getting another form sent from 0800882200 Benefit Enquiry Line as this will be dated and allow your claim to be awarded (providing you return it promply) from the date BEL put the form in the post. Useful to keep a copy of what you say to help with reclaim/appeal/renewal if/when necessary.

Ted_Hutchinson

Broken_hearted wrote:

You don't need to be on high rate mobility to get a blue badge your doctor can recomend you for one.

I should perhaps have pointed out to emmiemac that applying for DLA and getting a DLA High Rate Mobility Award was a sure fire way of getting a blue badge.

If her doctor was prepared to support a Blue Badge application then it's probable support will also be available for a DLA claim.

bernesemad

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

I have a Blue Badge but do not get high rate mobility DLA. I should ask for a re-considertaion as my disabilites are much worse now and have had a stairlift fitted, but am unsure how to move forward

PP
xx

If you are already receiving DLA there will be a number on one of your correspondance letters which you can ring and explain that you need a review as your condition/needs has got worse.If you are not in receipt of DLA then you need to ring the Benefits Enquiry Line asap - 0800 882200

I am not an expert, just using a little knowledge to try and help - just hope it does :-)

Penny-Pincher!!

Thank you I apreciate the info.

Didnt realise my OT could help-she is wonderful and is sorting out my walk in shower ATM too. I know I would have her full backing. I will look into taking the next step soon but am quite weak ATM and the forms do my head in. Can I just ask them to look at the mobility section of the DLA or do they assess everything again I already receive high rate care but that was based solely on MH problems-I havent really informed them of my SLE/FMS and these are my main problems now, so I do need to let them know but the forms just put me off....I hate them. My current award runs till May 2007, but feel I am entitled to high rate and have put it off for so long now.

Just feel like abit of a scrounger with all the help Im getting.

PP
xx