sorry another blue badge post

saintly_2

Hi

My brother has just been turned down for a blue badge after being sent for a medical. He has schizophrenia, he also takes morphine for pain he suffers in his foot after an accident. He cannot walk without crutches and has been like that for 4 years.

The assesor said he can walk fine and schizophrenia is not classed as a disability. My brother doesnt drive but wanted it for when my parents take him to the hospital, or into town, he can't go out on his own as Public transport can kick off his schizophrenia due to there being lots of people around in an enclosed space,his meds havent been finalised yet. He can move quite quickly on his crutches but in pain so he doesnt think he can appeal on that side.

In regards to schizophrenia, is it worth him going to appeal as she said its not a disability, he doesnt want the stress of an appeal if its not worth it

Thanks

X

Parva

I would imagine that if he can move quite well on his injured foot that an appeal would fail, particularly if there's no supporting evidence that says he has very limited mobility. The schizophrenia likely won't play any part in the application as he would need someone with him whether he was walking 50 metres or half a mile and it's mobility problems that they are interested in, not psychological issues.

I could of course be wrong and will await someone with more knowledge offering advice on this but just as a for instance, I actually had to go and take part in a mobility test with the local city council to get my blue badge. So what's my mobility problem? The loss of my entire right leg (up to and including most of the pelvis). And yep, I had to get on crutches and demonstrate why it was a tad tricky for me! Didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the time.

pauliboo

I think your brother should qualify for Lower Rate Mobility, although this means he won't be eligible for the Motability scheme.

Mobility component

The mobility component is paid at two rates – lower and higher.

Lower rate
For people who are able to walk but need someone with them to provide guidance and supervision for most of the time when they are outdoors on unfamiliar routes.

Higher rate
For people who are unable to or virtually unable to walk.

tiddlertot

saintly wrote: »

Hi

My brother has just been turned down for a blue badge after being sent for a medical. He has schizophrenia, he also takes morphine for pain he suffers in his foot after an accident. He cannot walk without crutches and has been like that for 4 years.

The assesor said he can walk fine and schizophrenia is not classed as a disability. My brother doesnt drive but wanted it for when my parents take him to the hospital, or into town, he can't go out on his own as Public transport can kick off his schizophrenia due to there being lots of people around in an enclosed space,his meds havent been finalised yet. He can move quite quickly on his crutches but in pain so he doesnt think he can appeal on that side.

In regards to schizophrenia, is it worth him going to appeal as she said its not a disability, he doesnt want the stress of an appeal if its not worth it

Thanks

X

These are the rules under which a BB could be issued:




To be eligible for a badge under the discretionary criteria, your degree of disability should be permanent and not just intermittent or temporary, and if you were assessed, would meet or almost meet that required for the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance. The following descriptions and explanations are to help explain what this means.



Unable to walk:
You need to show that because of your disability you cannot put one foot in front of the other.

If your only way of getting about is to “swing through” crutches then you will be considered unable to walk.



Virtually unable to walk:

Unable to walk very far without experiencing severe discomfort.

Discomfort can mean either pain or breathlessness; extreme fatigue and stress may also be taken into account (It has been accepted that
discomfort is subjective and that some people have higher pain thresholds than others).

Unless both your legs are missing then you will need to show that you experience severe discomfort even when using your artificial aid.

In assessing the above the following factors will be taken into account:
Distance you can walk, without experiencing severe discomfort.
Speed at which you walk.
Length of time you can walk.
Manner in which you walk.

The question is about walking out of doors not in your home.


Exertion required to walk:


This is to establish if walking would constitute a danger to your life or whether it would be likely to lead to a serious deterioration in your health.
The criteria is intended for people with serious chest, lung or heart conditions.
Some people with haemophilia may also qualify.
Serious deterioration does not need to be permanent but it should require medical intervention for you to recover.

People with epilepsy will need to show that any fits were brought about by the effort required to walk.

You will not be eligible for any of the following reasons

In all cases entitlement depends on your walking ability, not difficulty in carrying parcels or heavy shopping.

Your disability must be of a physical, rather than a psychological nature.

People with temporary disabilities lasting less than 12 months e.g. a broken leg, will not qualify.

Children under 2 years old are not eligible.