Blue Badge Application

Quarkrad

My wife applied for her Blue Badge renewal some time ago - it is currently 'in the system' being processed.  Unfortunately she has MS, which is incurable, so the application should be approved.  There is much information about the consequences of not displaying your Blue Badge or displaying an out of date badge, but nothing I have found, about the scenario where a new badge has not been provided because it is 'in the system'.  Numerous phone calls have been made but each time the 'it is in the system' wall is encountered. She has to make frequent visits to the hospital and they, I guess quite rightly, are refusing to offer her free parking after the date when her badge runs out.  Is my wife's scenario a case 'tough'?

KxMx

There is no legal time frame for BB's to be processed unfortunately. It takes as long as it takes. 

My local authority take 12 weeks minimum, and won't even accept enquiries until 13 weeks have passed. 
I applied online, paid online, qualify automatically yet had to wait until one of the two department staff members actually looked at my application to get a BB issued.


Feedback to local councillors and MP is all I can suggest. 

poppy12345

Once her BB runs out then she will no longer be able to use it and she will need to wait to see if it's been approved and then wait for them to process it and for it to be delivered. 

Quarkrad

As I thought - thank you for your replies.

LightFlare

Curious as my mother’s BB is coming up for renewal- March I believe.

Is there a maximum period in advance that it can be applied for to try and avoid a period where she could be without ?

Especially given the stated 12 week minimum for applications 

Thanks

KxMx

You would need to see how long your local authority is taking and what they will/won't accept. 
The 12 weeks I mentioned applies to my LA, yours is probably different. 
My LA will also not accept renewal applications more than 18 weeks ahead. 

Fruitcake

@Quarkrad  For hospital visits, you/your wife may be able to get the vehicle put on an exemption/whitelist. I suggest you contact PALS first, then the head of the hospital trust/CEO if that doesn't work.

Remind them that: -

The NHS is supposed to be free at the point of use.
The UK Government states that parking should be free at NHS sites for staff, patients, and visitors. See below.

NHS car parking guidance 2022 for NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts - GOV.UK

"Frequent outpatient attenders

Parking will be provided free to all outpatients who attend hospital for an appointment at least 3 times within a month and for an overall period of at least 3 months. A ‘month’ is defined as a period of 30 days."

The Blue Badge scheme does not apply on private land, (although unregulated private parking companies that often infest hospital car parks would have you believe different) but the Equality Act 2010 does.

Do contact your MP about this as well.

sarah1972

I applied for a blue badge for my husband last month, from application to arrival in the post was 6 days x 

poppy12345

LightFlare said:

Curious as my mother’s BB is coming up for renewal- March I believe.

Is there a maximum period in advance that it can be applied for to try and avoid a period where she could be without ?

Especially given the stated 12 week minimum for applications 

Thanks

When I renewed mine in June it took 4 weeks from applying to receiving it in the post. 

judexx

An email (or phone call if possible) to your local councillor explaining your wife's problems and asking them to contact the council on her behalf is probably your best bet.