Blue badge and anxiety

allaction

Hi
ive been turned down for a blue badge on hidden conditions criteria.

i enclosed a psychiatrist letter detailing panic disorder. I was asked for more and my gp provided a letter highlighting that symptoms of my anxiety are diarrhoea therefore it would benefit and ease my anxiety if I was able to park closer to toilets. I take medication but was refused the badge. The form I was sent which I forwarded to the doctors more or less wanted them to say to give me a badge! Dr highlighted they thought a badge would help me.

anyone any experience and I’ve 28 days to appeal in writing.

[Deleted User]

Are you in receipt of PIP?

allaction

I get pip but not the mobility section...

long story but I had to appeal the lunatic assessor and got the daily living component but as I’d walked in the room on my own (my mum was in the car) I was ok!

poppy12345

allaction said:

my gp provided a letter highlighting that symptoms of my anxiety are diarrhoea therefore it would benefit and ease my anxiety if I was able to park closer to toilets.

I'm not sure how that will help you because even with a BB you're still not guaranteed to park close to public toilets.

elsien

The criteria talks about those who are a signifiant risk to themselves or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks, those who struggle severely to plan or follow a journey, those who find it difficult or impossible to control their actions and lack awareness of the impact they can have on other, those who regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control, or those who frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces.

Whichever criteria you are applying under (I'm guessing the last) then you really need to properly evidence the impact, because (and I know how poor MH services can be at times) it is likely there will be an argument that if your difficulties are so profound, you must be in receipt of other services. 
Looking at a random council website (have you checked yours, because each council can interpret the eligibility differently,) they are asking for the following as proof, as examples

• confirmation of ongoing treatments or clinic attendances, or referral for such
• evidence of prescribed medication relevant to your condition
• evidence of specialist consultations, or referral for such
• your Patient Summary or Summary Care Records
• Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
• Care Plans from social care teams
• social housing letters or assessment reports from a local authority
• letters from other professionals involved in your care
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision letters
• evidence of other benefits received
• contact details of professionals who can support your application

So other than your GP letter, are there any other professionals involved who could also give more detailed supporting evidence? Other than your psychiatrists letter saying you have panic disorder (how old is it?) they need evidence as to how it affects you when out and about. Just a diagnosis on its own is not enough. 

allaction

Psychiatrists letter highlighted need to be closer to facilities. Dr similar.

my rationale was that you’re more likely to leave home if you feel more confident of being able to park closer to toilets (be it yellow lines or spaces).

both letters within six months old.

swingaloo

What is your local council criteria? Our council will only allow a blue badge if you get PIP Mobility. Nothing else qualifies you in our area., 

calcotti

swingaloo said:

What is your local council criteria? Our council will only allow a blue badge if you get PIP Mobility. Nothing else qualifies you in our area., 

That can’t be right.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge

peterh29

6 years ago i was very kindly awarded a blue badge because of my spinal problems and chronic pain i live in every day, 

Since having my blue badge it has given me so much more confidence as i knew if my back went into spasm whilst out walking i knew i could always get back into the car due to the space around the disabled parking bay. 

I owe this success to the nhs and all the people who have helped me over the years and getting enrolled onto a pain management course in Oxford, which really helped me a lot. and of course my wonderful carer who still helps me today

[Deleted User]

swingaloo said:

What is your local council criteria? Our council will only allow a blue badge if you get PIP Mobility. Nothing else qualifies you in our area., 

What council is that then?