OT Assessment for Blue Badge

kurgon

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

Ask for details of their professional body membership, their qualifications and their extent of knowledge and expertise about your disabling condition. For example how many years experience do they have in treating someone with what ever you have got that causes you difficulties.

If they have little or no bespoke knowlege make sure you note this down with their name in the event you may need to appeal against any rejection.

If, as a professional, I turned up to your house and was met with this I would be extremely annoyed. Perhaps best to leave the inquisition to a later date if you don't feel that your assessment reflected your needs.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

kurgon wrote: »

If, as a professional, I turned up to your house and was met with this I would be extremely annoyed. Perhaps best to leave the inquisition to a later date if you don't feel that your assessment reflected your needs.

As far as I am concerned I have every right to ask questions to any medical "professional" that has come to screen some aspect of my health.

I know the qualification and specialisms of my GP so why not anyone else who is giving me medical treatment.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Ordinarily they only use 112 (1A) if its the other way round and your condition improves, ] particularly if you return to employment ] because this results in an overpayment to be clawed back in addition to all sorts of knock on payments such as tax credits / council tax / pension credit etc.

I do not understand this either. You can work and claim DLA you know! Many do!

Richie-from-the-Boro

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

I do not understand this either. You can work and claim DLA you know! Many do!

I know, and you know I know. But I get tired of posting additional ' variables ' constantly to avoid people picking me up on this / that / or the other fact when what I post is taken out of context.

My comment was [ in context ] aimed at the O/P dafyguy and his #12 post about the catch~all~requirement ref failure to notify change of circumstances in relation to his personal circumstances.

formaldehyde_perfume

Now who's taking over the OP's thread. *sigh*

My personal situation is that I applied for (and received) my BB 2 months before even considering I would qualify for DLA.

Although my primary disability is (thought to be) genetic, the symptoms became gradually worse over a period of about 3 years and as such you just adapt (or, at least try to) to what you can do and although I remember getting my first walking stick, the transition between getting it and using it full time didn't really occur to me until I was sat with someone from CAB as we were going through my DLA claim and even then I thought I would be getting LRM and possibly LRC.. It just shows how much my view of my needs was warped as I actually now receive HRM and MRC; at first I thought I must have exaggerated my problems on my form but I went through several times and assured myself that everything was accurate, then I checked with the DLA guidelines and they too seemed to correspond correctly. It has taken me 6 months to slowly realise how dependant I actually am, how much I rely on my mum as my carer and that I am actually entitled to receive the money that I get which really helps me lead as much of a normal life as possible..

Anyway, my point is that along with the 12 week waiting period, I was able to take advantage of having a BB five months earlier than if I had waited until after my DLA decision. I must have used it at least 10 times in that period, even if it was just to go and pick up my prescription or go to different appointments.

dafyguy

Yes I agree the Blue Badge does seem to come through a lot quicker than the DLA decision and I don't blame you for going that route.

What people have been saying is that getting a Blue Badge does not mean you are entitled to High mobility.
You have proved me correct in that it is the case.

For both you have to show that you are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk.

I can understand how it was easier in the past to get a blue badge because all you needed was a sympathetic GP.

Now you have to pass very similar tests both for the badge and high mobility.

The only advantage now in going for a badge is that it is quicker to get than DLA or you are over 65 when you can't claim mobility for DLA.

They have made the playing fields a lot more equal with this new assessment system for a badge and about time to.

Some of the blue dage holders that I see and know would never pass the new system of tests.
I've even informed on a neighbour this weekend who quite honestly has been taking the p*** out of the system.

He has a mobility car and a blue badge, yet the only thing wrong with him (and he openly tells me how easy it was to get both) is that he has a pacemaker which he has had for years.
Yet he can manage a long brisk walk to the shop and back (1/2 mile each way as recommended by our same GP!) every morning for his cigs and paper, yet I am fumbling around the house and garden with my stick and can just about manage 25 yds!
Justice will be done when I see his car and badge taken away!

formaldehyde_perfume

dafyguy wrote: »

Yes I agree the Blue Badge does seem to come through a lot quicker than the DLA decision and I don't blame you for going that route.

What people have been saying is that getting a Blue Badge does not mean you are entitled to High mobility.
You have proved me correct in that it is the case.

For both you have to show that you are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk.

I can understand how it was easier in the past to get a blue badge because all you needed was a sympathetic GP.

Not at all. As my condition is (probably) genetic, I will have it for life, therefore I fit the BB specific criteria. The severety of the symptoms a person has from the condition is very variable and therefore someone who has less problems with walking but still finds it difficult to walk and would probably fit LRM catagory yet would still be entitled to a BB under their rules.

Each case should be looked at on it's own terms.

Also, all I did to get my BB was to write a form online and send a photo and admin fee. I was asked for permission to contact my GP, which I gave, but my GP has never mentioned it and I have never to her. I assume by this fact that they contacted my surgery to get my notes and confirm my story with diagnosis's and medication. It is besides the point, but I do have a very sympathetic doctor, and I am very grateful, but why shouldn't all GP's be sympathetic to their patients health worries?

dafyguy

formaldehyde_perfume wrote: »

Not at all. As my condition is (probably) genetic, I will have it for life, therefore I fit the BB specific criteria. The severety of the symptoms a person has from the condition is very variable and therefore someone who has less problems with walking but still finds it difficult to walk and would probably fit LRM catagory yet would still be entitled to a BB under their rules.

Each case should be looked at on it's own terms.

Also, all I did to get my BB was to write a form online and send a photo and admin fee. I was asked for permission to contact my GP, which I gave, but my GP has never mentioned it and I have never to her. I assume by this fact that they contacted my surgery to get my notes and confirm my story with diagnosis's and medication. It is besides the point, but I do have a very sympathetic doctor, and I am very grateful, but why shouldn't all GP's be sympathetic to their patients health worries?

Unfortunately they aren't all sympathetic. Some are not interested in anything that is not medical related.

However under the new bdage rules, GP's are not to be contacted as the DOT believe that they are biased and that an independent OT assessment of 90 mins is now in operation.

Anubis_2

Yet he can manage a long brisk walk to the shop and back (1/2 mile each way as recommended by our same GP!) every morning for his cigs and paper, yet I am fumbling around the house and garden with my stick and can just about manage 25 yds!
Justice will be done when I see his car and badge taken away!

If this is true then they will watch him to confirm what you are saying is correct. However, don't think that he may not appeal if they do take his car and badge and appeal too. It all depends on what evidence they can get, I am presuming you gave them video evidence of the claim?

Additionally, while I understand you say he is walking, it is whether his walking causes pain and discomfort, or if he is likely to suffer pain and discomfort from doing so AFTERWARDS. If this is the case and his doctor recommended that he walk, then they may take nothing away if he has evidence to show that while he can walk to the shop, he suffers afterwards etc.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

I don't see why the Council discretionary criteria for a Blue Badge shouldn't be more relaxed and flexible than the Automatic DLA right to a badge.

After all when you have a Blue Badge direct from the council the tax payer is not paying for the parking concession at a cost of £51 a week Higher Rate DLA. If you are receiving taxpayer's cash in return for a Blue Badge then the criteria to get it should be tougher and stricter.

Perhaps there should be an incentive to go direct to the council rather than via the DLA route and DLA criteria as it saves the taxpayer hard cash.

Also despite the introduction of OT asessments and Higher Rate DLA criteria it is still up to the Local Authority to grant a badge or not. They can even choose not to send you to an OT and provide a badge on the basis of just your application and any medical evidence you provide yourself.

I don't think the new council discretionary system will be a cure all that the Blue Badge haters (why do people hate Blue Badge Holders?) are expecting or hoping for.