DLA and Blue Badge - why do they always say no.

SingleSue

Aputsiaq wrote: »

this kind of thing makes me so mad!
why would you think you were going wrong somewhere in an application?
if people arent awarded, it usually means that they dont qualify. ie, you arent severe enough. afterall, why do so many people get awarded first time?
Every step is not agony with Fibro so perhaps they know you are exagerating just to get the money. you might also have been observed.
i wouldnt worry too much about the blue badge as its not the end of the world without it. its not like a normal car parking place is miles away.

Just had to reply to this...

A friends brother was paralysed from the chest down (spinal cord severed so no chance of recovery), applied for DLA and got turned down as they said he may get better.

He got it on appeal but it does go to show that being turned down does not mean you are not severe enough to qualify...maybe some DLA decision makers are just ultra optimistic! :rotfl:

Indie_Kid

Sue - that's ridiculous. I honestly don't know anyone who is paralysed and is (somehow) expected to recover.

SingleSue

I know...and exactly.

That was their response to the letter saying he had been turned down, the wife turned a rather funny colour and went off to ring them in full strop mode as obviously, it was an incredibly stressful and scary time for them and they were still getting used to the fact that he was no longer able to move anything apart from his head and one finger on one hand after being a very active person.

redleaf_2

GlasweJen wrote: »

I think OP isn't filling the forms in correctly, a quick skim of the thread and I know that OP didn't go to uni and can't swim, neither of which are even remotely applicable to DLA. I can't swim either or drive or handle glass ware or walk on tight ropes and none of those are anything to do with wether or not I get DLA.

Get help with the form, a professional will be able to sort out what's relevant and what's not and that will help lots towards getting your application taken seriously.

I didn't actually put these things on the form. I know they're not relevant to DLA, I was just answering a question/giving a general introduction to myself.

redleaf_2

Aputsiaq wrote: »

thats what you are failing on. You do not fill out forms on 'your worst day'. the DLA staff are not stupid and they know what the illnesses are. if you send in a form full of general exageration, they wont pass it.
CAB isnt really needed if you sit and fill the form in honestly. far more people get paid out with DLA first time without the CAB being involved than dont.

Thanks, someone pointed this out to me as well, I am going to give examples of worst and better days from now on. I do have to point out I was only following the advice of others (including someone who fills out forms for people as part of her job, and my doctor etc.) I would also like to point out my form was in no way full of "exaggeration". I have only ever tried to be honest.

redleaf_2

sh1305 wrote: »

It may help you to keep a diary.

This is a good idea - I actually started one yesterday. Very short one, just noting down what I am able to to each day. This will definitely help me sort things out.

redleaf_2

Hi Jazzabelle,

I think a blue badge would make a big diffence to my mobility too. There's loads of places I want to go and can't because of the walking from the car park. Contrary to what Aputsiaq says, car parks can be far from the shop or whatever you want. I can't walk far, and although there's loads of car parks in town, it's not like they're right near the shops. Christmas was a complete nightmare! Plus it's not like I can get a train, because it's about a 15 minute walk to town from the station. Just my thoughts!

Indie_Kid

redleaf wrote: »

This is a good idea - I actually started one yesterday. Very short one, just noting down what I am able to to each day. This will definitely help me sort things out.

When I did mine, I wrote what I couldn't do (what the forms are about) and how someone could help me.

I think OP isn't filling the forms in correctly, a quick skim of the thread and I know that OP didn't go to uni and can't swim, neither of which are even remotely applicable to DLA.

Swimming is applicable to DLA. It asks about activities you'd like to do, and I have wrote down that I would like to go swimming; but would need help another person.

Jo_King

In terms of FMS, swimming is also applicable because it's a recognised and recommended therapy for the condition (it's right there on the NHS website). In other words, it's as much a part of managing fms as the medication. My advisor from CAB is emphasising this, because I really do want to go to the pool, I find exercise in water helps me manage the pain, but not being able to walk from the car park, or manage the changing on my own, stops me going.

Don't know how it'll go down in the tribunal (next thursday, gulp!), but both my GP and CAB advisor are quite clear - it's something I need to do for my condition.

jazabelle

redleaf wrote: »

Hi Jazzabelle,

I think a blue badge would make a big diffence to my mobility too. There's loads of places I want to go and can't because of the walking from the car park. Contrary to what Aputsiaq says, car parks can be far from the shop or whatever you want. I can't walk far, and although there's loads of car parks in town, it's not like they're right near the shops. Christmas was a complete nightmare! Plus it's not like I can get a train, because it's about a 15 minute walk to town from the station. Just my thoughts!

I completely understand, and don't agree with Aputsiaq at all. If I didn't have a Blue Badge, the town centre would be completely off limits. With my Blue Badge I can park on the High Street and pop into one or two shops at a time, and then go back to the car. It was what I did for Christmas shopping (what I couldn't do online). I wouldn't be able to go to many places, I completely understand you wanting one. I really hope you get one - it will make such a difference.

I don't mean to be rubbing it in with my post, just trying to show people what a difference they can make to some.