Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Blue Badge...

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

A friend of mine with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been turned down for a Blue Badge. They would certainly benefit from one. CFS manifests profound joint and muscle pains and fatigue hindering ability to walk as any sufferer would testify.

They did not appeal the council decision and six months has elapsed since their application. They can now re-apply.

They are not "automatically" entitled as they do not get any DLA or state benefits. Not through non-entitlement but through simply choosing not to apply for it and would fail any means tested benefits due to savings.

They applied for the blue badge under the auspices of a GP report. They will obtain a copy of this to see what was written.

Has anyone here with CFS applied for a Blue Badge without a DLA award using the GP confirmation section? If so how was your narrative written and how long was the process and did you have to appeal?

Thanks

kurgon

If your friend has joint pains then maybe they should look at the diagnosis and ask if in fact it is more related to fibromyalgia. I don't know if this is looked on more favourably in relation to blue badges or not. In relation to seing the GP report I think that is a good idea. It is more based on the usual presentation and opften CFS can be misunderstood. It may also be helpful to see if there are any local support groups in their area for CFS as this is a great resource, especially if it is a local issue. I also assume that on refusal last time, reasons were given. Perhaps it is best to address these specifically.
I also don't understand why yopur friend has not applied for DLA. It is not means tested and also not dependant on any savings. CAB can assist with completing the form although they are relatively self explanatory. While there is never any guarentee it won't hurt to apply. It is a difficult illness because it is hiddena nd even disputed in certain areas but it is a recognised neurologibal illness so encourage them to take more posistve action.

Wish them good luck with the application.

bigjl

A lot of people would benefit from a blue badge, I would as my knees and back ache after walking a short distance.

However I can do it unaided, so have no need for a BB.

If your friend gets no DLA then I can't see them ever getting a BB.

I haven't heard of somebody getting a BB on the request of their GP for years in all honesty, mainly due to the amount of abuse of the BB, another result of sicknote UK i'm afraid.

It is cheaper to turn everybody down that doesn't get higher rate DLA than to investigate every claim.

kurgon

bigjl wrote: »

A lot of people would benefit from a blue badge, I would as my knees and back ache after walking a short distance.

However I can do it unaided, so have no need for a BB.

If your friend gets no DLA then I can't see them ever getting a BB.

I haven't heard of somebody getting a BB on the request of their GP for years in all honesty, mainly due to the amount of abuse of the BB, another result of sicknote UK i'm afraid.

It is cheaper to turn everybody down that doesn't get higher rate DLA than to investigate every claim.

I got mine when I didn't get DLA....hadn't even applied for it at the time but do now get HRM. OP stated that their friend also hadn;t applied, not that they would did not get it.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

kurgon wrote: »

If your friend has joint pains then maybe they should look at the diagnosis and ask if in fact it is more related to fibromyalgia. I don't know if this is looked on more favourably in relation to blue badges or not. In relation to seing the GP report I think that is a good idea. It is more based on the usual presentation and opften CFS can be misunderstood. It may also be helpful to see if there are any local support groups in their area for CFS as this is a great resource, especially if it is a local issue. I also assume that on refusal last time, reasons were given. Perhaps it is best to address these specifically.
I also don't understand why yopur friend has not applied for DLA. It is not means tested and also not dependant on any savings. CAB can assist with completing the form although they are relatively self explanatory. While there is never any guarentee it won't hurt to apply. It is a difficult illness because it is hiddena nd even disputed in certain areas but it is a recognised neurologibal illness so encourage them to take more posistve action.

Wish them good luck with the application.

They got the form for DLA some time ago, took one look at it and felt too apathetic to complete it.

They have plenty of money so to them filling in such a form isn't worth the money really.

Her opinion also is why should she claim benefit cash simply to get a BB and what ever else DLA opens doors to. Her opinion is that it shouldn't take the claim of a state benefit to prove her disability. In a way I am inclined to agree with this.

No reasons were given for the rejection of the BB only a thanks but no thanks letter.

They just took this as they were not entitled. Full Stop. They thought that it was not worth bothering to appeal. She is obviously the sort of person the Government/Council likes. They say no so they must be right and she takes it on the chin.

She stated on her BB form that she was only able to walk 20 metres or less and this is during severe discomfort due to fatigue and joint pains.

I am quite shocked she was turned down as an old man on his own in her block has a BB and practically hot foots it up the road with no problem. Comparing the two (and I am only going on what I see with my eyes) she has been dealt an unfair blow.

Mojisola

bigjl wrote: »

I haven't heard of somebody getting a BB on the request of their GP for years in all honesty, mainly due to the amount of abuse of the BB, another result of sicknote UK i'm afraid.

A relative of mine has a BB. The GP suggested she needed it so she applied and got it. She doesn't claim any health benefits.

Richie-from-the-Boro

bigjl wrote: »

A lot of people would benefit from a blue badge, I would as my knees and back ache after walking a short distance.

However I can do it unaided, so have no need for a BB.

If your friend gets no DLA then I can't see them ever getting a BB.

I haven't heard of somebody getting a BB on the request of their GP for years in all honesty, mainly due to the amount of abuse of the BB, another result of sicknote UK i'm afraid.

It is cheaper to turn everybody down that doesn't get higher rate DLA than to investigate every claim.

(1) Blue badge misuse cost local authorities £46m in lost parking revenues last year, its this and the cost of the (2) Badge Fraud Investigation's [ BBFI ] and (3) and the fact that the eligibility criteria will now include people who can't use parking meters / ticket machines / automatic barriers / disabled children under three / severely disabled military personnel and veterans, that are bumping the cost per badge up by 30 % next year. It's 30 years since the charge was fixed, and £30.23 is the cost recovery figure being discussed.

Two quid or £30 quid its still a tax on disabled people and each person with a badge that's not entitled to it bumps national taxation / council tax up, we are all paying costs of these badges.

Clever numbers here if you want to wade through them.

kurgon

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

They got the form for DLA some time ago, took one look at it and felt too apathetic to complete it.

They have plenty of money so to them filling in such a form isn't worth the money really.

Her opinion also is why should she claim benefit cash simply to get a BB and what ever else DLA opens doors to. Her opinion is that it shouldn't take the claim of a state benefit to prove her disability. In a way I am inclined to agree with this.

No reasons were given for the rejection of the BB only a thanks but no thanks letter.

They just took this as they were not entitled. Full Stop. They thought that it was not worth bothering to appeal. She is obviously the sort of person the Government/Council likes. They say no so they must be right and she takes it on the chin.

She stated on her BB form that she was only able to walk 20 metres or less and this is during severe discomfort due to fatigue and joint pains.

I am quite shocked she was turned down as an old man on his own in her block has a BB and practically hot foots it up the road with no problem. Comparing the two (and I am only going on what I see with my eyes) she has been dealt an unfair blow.

Can see the issues. I would go to the GP first and get a supporting letter, then apply for the BB. I would also include details as to why she does not get HRM as she does not want to apply rather than she has been turned down.
Things can be a struggle with CFS but the benefits of a BB would likely be worth the hassle for her. Perhaps she can get an advocate to help?

OnAndUp

I have ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia and Iv'e had a Blue badge since 3 years ago before I was on DLA.

I'm lucky as my doctor is really supportive so when I originally filled the form in he wrote an accompanying letter explaining my difficulties so I was given one the first time I applied. Unfortunately since then I have become more severely affected and am now on higher rate DLA so automatically entitled to one.

I have to say though the blue badge has been a lifeline for me. What people don't realise is that it's not just the suffering from when you are walking it's the "payback" after effects too just because someone is able to walk a bit and may look ok they might then suffer for the rest of the day/days which can prevent you from doing other things that you need/want to do. If this can be avoided by being able to park closer it is a huge help.

TOBRUK

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

A friend of mine with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been turned down for a Blue Badge.

.....

They did not appeal the council decision and six months has elapsed since their application. They can now re-apply.

They are not "automatically" entitled as they do not get any DLA or state benefits. Not through non-entitlement but through simply choosing not to apply for it and would fail any means tested benefits due to savings.

They applied for the blue badge under the auspices of a GP report. They will obtain a copy of this to see what was written.

I can understand the reasoning behind your friend not applying for DLA, and one reason for delaying my application (for a few years) was that I didn't want to admit that I was unable to do things and also felt that I would be labelled as DISABLED!!

Remember that DLA is a non means tested benefit! I have M.E. and have a blue badge as I receive HRM. Your friend could ask their GP for a letter in support of their condition to send with the application.

kurgon wrote: »

Can see the issues. I would go to the GP first and get a supporting letter, then apply for the BB. I would also include details as to why she does not get HRM as she does not want to apply rather than she has been turned down.
Things can be a struggle with CFS but the benefits of a BB would likely be worth the hassle for her. Perhaps she can get an advocate to help?

I thought the friend had a report from GP when first applied.

OnAndUp

Worriedwife wrote: »

Blue Badge - only for those that complain and moan the loudest!! Unfortunately I am more reserved and keep my private life to myself.

It's not fair is it! :mad: Why should you suffer because you don't like to complain, have you had any help/guidance filling forms in etc? I consider myself quite intelligent but find it all a minefield.

I got a lot of help from my local http://www.dialuk.info/ they filled in the forms for my DLA etc. really helpful it's stressful enough being so ill without having to deal with the these things. They do it as a job so know far better what to put on the forms and how to word things.