Can I get a Blue Badge if I have a mental disability?

maidincornwall

My husband suffers from severe PTSD symptons of which include flashbacks, both visual and auditory, panic attacks and severe depression,these can be triggered at any time by the smallest of things eg, a smell, noise or flashing lights, my understanding is that he cant get a BB even though it would be very helpful to him, as if he has a flashback when out he needs to be quickly got to somewhere safe and where he feels secure, he dosent go out alone and fears that if someone pushed or shoved him he might react violently (he never has done) this comes from his time in the forces, and in particular when he was chased and cornered by a mob during a riot when he and his men had to break a window and jump out then outrun over 100 people.

luxor4t

badrequest wrote: »

on what grounds did you get it??

I have a BB but don't drive, the Regs say
"Anyone over two years old may be eligible for a Blue Badge, if they either:

• have a permanent and substantial disability which means they cannot walk, or makes walking very difficult
• drive a motor vehicle regularly and have a severe disability in both arms, making it very difficult or impossible to operate parking meters"

also:
"Using the Blue Badge as a driver or passenger

You do not need to own a car or be able to drive one. You can use the Blue Badge in any vehicle that you are travelling in as a driver or a passenger."

Details here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Bluebadgescheme/DG_181208

savemoney

We have a blue badge I am the nominated driver, I only use it when my daughter who is the holder is with us.

Tally-Ho_2

maidincornwall wrote: »

My husband suffers from severe PTSD symptons of which include flashbacks, both visual and auditory, panic attacks and severe depression,these can be triggered at any time by the smallest of things eg, a smell, noise or flashing lights, my understanding is that he cant get a BB even though it would be very helpful to him, as if he has a flashback when out he needs to be quickly got to somewhere safe and where he feels secure, he dosent go out alone and fears that if someone pushed or shoved him he might react violently (he never has done) this comes from his time in the forces, and in particular when he was chased and cornered by a mob during a riot when he and his men had to break a window and jump out then outrun over 100 people.

He wouldn't qualify under either of the two ways a veteran can automatically receive a blue badge as both are directly related to walking ability and/or being deaf and blind (ie receives War Pensioners Mobility Supplement or receive an award under the AFCS at tariff levels 1 to 8 plus must also be certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking).

Hence unless he receives Disability Living Allowance High Rate Mobility Component, he would have to apply under the 'Assessed Criteria' rules.

Whether or not he would be successful is down to him being assessed by a local authority Occupational Therapist etc. Even then the chances of receiving one based on a mental Illness are, to be honest, very slim. However the only way he will know for definite is to speak to or apply to his local authority for one and see what happens.

Anubis_2

badrequest wrote: »

I was asking ladymortica she looks fine to me... I want to know how she qualified

Just because someone looks fine does not mean they are! You can also only see her head in her avatar, presuming that is LM.

You don't have to be able to see a disability to be disabled....

In answer to your question, it is unlikely you will get one, but apply and see, no one on here can say "yes."

LadyMorticia

badrequest wrote: »

I was asking ladymortica she looks fine to me... I want to know how she qualified

I'll say exactly the same thing that I said in your PM to me.

I'm disabled. I cannot walk more than a few metres without being in excruciating pain and being exhausted. I use a wheelchair most of the time.
I don't have a Freedom Pass?

You seem quite ignorant to me. Some people don't look "disabled" yet they are. You can only see my head in my avatar. I look fine to you? Really? Funny how you come to that conclusion when you've never even met me, huh?

If you want to pick a fight then go somewhere else. I have more important things to worry about than whether you think my Blue Badge is justified.

DorsetGirl_2

badrequest wrote: »

I was asking ladymortica she looks fine to me... I want to know how she qualified

You can tell that from her avatar??? Less judgement would be helpful.

Brassedoff

maidincornwall wrote: »

My husband suffers from severe PTSD symptons of which include flashbacks, both visual and auditory, panic attacks and severe depression,these can be triggered at any time by the smallest of things eg, a smell, noise or flashing lights, my understanding is that he cant get a BB even though it would be very helpful to him, as if he has a flashback when out he needs to be quickly got to somewhere safe and where he feels secure, he dosent go out alone and fears that if someone pushed or shoved him he might react violently (he never has done) this comes from his time in the forces, and in particular when he was chased and cornered by a mob during a riot when he and his men had to break a window and jump out then outrun over 100 people.

I would go with what TallyHo has said. I suspect he would not get one. If due to PTSD they issued them, I know whole stations where I worked would get one. Being faced with a baying crowd 100+ was an occupational hazard and near weekly event in my day. I know everyone reacts differently, but I hope your husband gets the treatment he needs. I would not have thought a Blue Badge would help him more than someone physically disabled who has not got the ability to walk to the said shops some want to get quickly away from.

Richie-from-the-Boro

HappySad wrote: »

Hello All,

I am bibolar type I so suffer from manic, psychosis, depressions and anxiety. Would I be able to get a Blue Badge?

Have you been able to get a Blue Badge when a mental illness? How best should I go about this?

- its a bit late to apply for this current year
- but pass this test criteria sometime next year, and they may well issue one to you :

New BB Desk Based Assessment Criteria

Section 1 - About the applicant and their disability circle scores according to applicant’s responses
• Is applicant’s disability/medical condition permanent and substantial? - Use look-up table, check NHS Choices website if required and/or consult with OT if necessary
• Is applicant anticipating that their condition will improve within the next 3 years?
• Is applicant awaiting surgery or treatment in relation to the condition that impairs their walking ability?
• Is applicant recuperating from surgery in relation to the condition that impairs their walking ability?
• Is applicant managing their condition because it is not expected to improve any further?

Total score for this section:
Applicant scored 26 points or more in this section and will be desk-assessed:
Applicant scored between 19 and 25 points and was referred for an IMA without desk-based assessment:
Applicant scored 18 points or less and will be refused at this stage (or in the case of points scored because of uncertainty, then further evidence will be sought from the applicant or medical professional):

Section 2 - About the applicant’s walking ability – Manner of walking
• How does applicant describe the way they walk?
• The applicant is able to walk well, including recreational walks
• The applicant is able to walk around the supermarket to do their own shopping
• The applicant is able to walk, but uses public transport for longer trips in their local area
• The applicant is able to walk, but struggles with longer distances or hills
• The applicant is able to walk, but uses a wheelchair for longer trips outside the home
• The applicant is able to walk around their home, but unable to climb the stairs
• The applicant is unable to walk at all
• The applicant is able to walk outside without help
• Does applicant use walking aids?

Total score for this section:
Applicant scored 18 points or more and reports they can only walk with excessive labour:
Applicant scored between 14 and 17 points and may only be able to walk with excessive labour:
Applicant scored 13 points or less and reports they can walk without excessive labour

Section 3 About the applicant’s walking ability – Breathlessness due to their disability
• Does the applicant get breathless when walking for more than a few minutes
• Is applicant troubled by shortness of breath when hurrying on level ground or walking up a slight hill
• Does applicant get short of breath walking with other people of their own age on level ground
• Does applicant have to stop for breath when walking at their own pace on level ground
• Does applicant get too breathless to leave their home, or after dressing

Total score for this section:
Applicant scored 8-10 points and reports breathlessness that would constitute severe discomfort when walking:
Applicant scored 6 points and may only be able to walk with severe discomfort in terms of breathlessness:
Applicant scored 4 or less points and reports they can walk without severe discomfort in terms of breathlessness

Section 4 - About the applicant's walking ability – Pain
• Is applicant seeing specialists or attending clinics for pain relief
• Is applicant taking pain medication to manage a medical condition / disability which affects their walking
• Does the applicant find it too painful when walking for more than a few minutes

Total score for this section:
Applicant scored 6 points or more and reports excessive pain when walking:
Applicant scored 4 points and may experience excessive pain when walking:
Applicant 0-2 points and is unlikely to experience excessive pain when walking:

Section 5 - About the applicant's walking ability – distance, speed and time an applicant can walk
• How far does the applicant indicate they are able to walk before they experience severe discomfort
• When the distance the applicant reported they are able to walk is divided by the time (in seconds) they reported it took them, is the rate of walking
Less than 30m / 33 yards only
Between 31m / 33 yards and 80m / 88 yards
Between 80m / 88 yards and 100m / 110 yards
More than 100m / 110 yards
Less than 0.67 metres / 0.73 yards per second (Extremely slow
Between 0.67m/0.73 yds per second and 1.0m/1.10 yds per second (slow)
Between 1.02m/1.14 yds per second and 1.5m/1.65yds per second (normal)
More than 1.5m/1.65 yards per second (brisk)

Total score for this section:
Applicant scored 23 points or more and reports very considerable difficulty in walking through speed, distance and time:
Applicant scored 18 to 23 points and may have very considerable difficulty in walking through speed, distance and time:
Applicant scored 17 points or less & does not report very considerable difficulty in walking through speed, distance and time

Section 6 -Summary of applicant’s eligibility based on desk-based assessment
Review section 2: Does applicant report that they can only walk with excessive labour
Review section 3: Does applicant report severe discomfort in walking in terms of breathlessness
Review section 4: Does the applicant report severe discomfort in walking in terms of pain
Review section 5: Does applicant report very considerable difficulty in walking through speed distance and time?

Total scores:
Applicant scored 25 points or more and my recommendation is that they are awarded a Blue Badge
Applicant scored between 12 and 24 points and will be referred for an IMA because they may be eligible to receive a Blue Badge
Applicant scored less than 12 points and my recommendation is that they are refused a Blue Badge[/QUOTE]

- best of luck HappySad

mango_cool

Hi, I know someone who is bipolar and they applied as they struggle being in public and on public transport and they got refused...