Blue badge - permanent disabilities only?

Ted_Hutchinson

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

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.

Whenever an award is looked at again both aspects of the award have to be confirmed as they both run concurrently (they will both have the same end date, and are paid as ONE award) It follows that to confirm the current High Rate Care it will be looked at again and could be lowered/ended. This is why it's very important to get help with the claim and keep a copy of what you said last time to help with the renewal. You could always ask for a copy of your old claim form if you didn't keep it.
Some people suggest not putting any Care information and only putting information relating to the Mobility Component as this is all you are wanting considered. It may work but I really think you'd be best getting a Welfare Rights Adviser to help with the form as it's important you don't end up worse off.

Edit: I'd be tempted to copy exactly what I said about my care needs on the previous claim and just change/update the bits where my condition has deteriorated. But as my condition is known to be slowly progressive it would be odd if I just left the words exactly the same.

Penny-Pincher!!

Ive heard so many horror stories about DLA stopping or reducing that Im worried it will happen to me. I dont know if I should rock the boat or leave it Saying that its up for re-newal next year anyway, so whatever way i will need to fill the forms in and sort it out.

Who would be best to help...OT...GP...etc? I have a stairlift, bluebadge, help from my local council with care and domestic needs at home, have been approved for a walk in bathroom, registered disabled, OH is my FT carer etc etc.

I will ask for copies of my last DLA form but 3 years ago it was based solely on MH problems where as now its Lupus, FMS, MH and a few other ailments-so although my care needs are still very high they are completely different to just my MH problems IYSWIM. So I will need to change my care need section part of the form as theres alot of physical hands on help needed now as well as the MH problems.

Gosh...Im confused.

THanks Ted

PP
xx

alison74

I am sorry you did not get your blue badge and I hope you appeal and also claim again for DLA, it does sound like you should get the higher rate now.


Blue badges are awarded differently by all councils / areas. After reading the posts, alot of people are saying you automatically get one if you are awarded DLA high mobility.

In Edinburgh, this is NOT the case. You must apply for the badge and then see a doctor who then makes a decision about whether you get one or not. The one doctor sees ALL blue badge applicants in Edinburgh, hence an 8-10 week wait for an appointment and a futher few weeks to process.

Crazy or what ? I am sure all councils have different ways of dealing with it, just so people don't get their hopes up that they might 'automatically' get one.

If you are too tired to do the appeal process yourself, your local Citizen's Advice will help you through the appeal process and represent you if you have a case (with both blue badge and DLA forms)

Good luck

emmiemac

Will try to reapply for DLA at some point but is so much hassle and really not designed for someone like myself with ME

Sent a letter of appeal to my council the other week after being refused the badge and got a letter beck saying that I would not be awarded to badge because my illness cannot be described as permanent.

Letter said that the blue badge is intended for those disabled during war (?) and not for people like me. Nice.

Have now written to the Scottish Executive who decide the criteria saying that people who need the badge should get one regardless of how long they should need it for.

alison74

I do sympathise that you did not get your badge, but please DO appeal and then someone will maybe see the light and issue you one.


My friend has one for fybromyalgia and another friend got a temporary one for 12 months afer having a neurological disease, so hang on in there.

You could always get CAB to help you with the appeal as they will have someon respresent you and have done it a thousands times........

Good luck