Walking Criteria for Blue Badge Application?

Chris56000

. . .Does anyone know what sort of maximum distance you're able to walk before you can be granted a Blue Disabled Person's badge?

. . .I suffer from inflammatory arthritis/gout that make it very difficult for me to walk long distances (frequently I have to use my hands and knees to get upstairs at home!) and as I wrote this I am still recovering from a further flare-up of gout/inflammatory arthritis that necessitated hospital admission at Walsall Manor to treat!

. . .I tried applying for a Disabled Person's Badge once before but Walsall Council said No!

born_again

Not sure that there is a official standard across local councils.

Only real way to get one is to get PIP or other such disability benefit.

eskbanker

People who automatically get a Blue Badge

You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged 3 or over and at least one of the following applies:

• [...]
• you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
• [...]

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge

Rover_Driver

I had a similar problem to the OP, I was advised by the GP's nurse that I should apply for a Blue Badge, which I did. The council (Surrey) replied no, but I could appeal, which I did. Council replied with an appointment at a local physiotherapy clinic - many questions and queries. The next day a phone call fron the council 'How do you want to pay for your Blue Badge?'

teaselMay

born_again said:

Not sure that there is a official standard across local councils.

Only real way to get one is to get PIP or other such disability benefit.

This isn't correct councils have a separate way to apply independent of disability benefits, having been assessed for PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance or ADP just makes the process more straightforward becuase if you reach a certain level on that you're automatically entitled to a blue badge.

Criteria is usually able to walk less than 50 metres without severe discomfort majority of the time. Or mental health issues with a similar effect.

Iceweasel

Aberdeenshire Council set the limit at 25 metres.

Herzlos

Chris56000 said:

. . .I tried applying for a Disabled Person's Badge once before but Walsall Council said No!

I get the impression they often say no first time, and then will grant the badge after you appeal. It must waste a fortune but that's just how it goes.

HomingPigeon

Ask your GP if he/she will write you a supporting letter.

My local council accepted this and I wasn't charged anything for it (I know that some surgeries state that you have to pay for the doctor to write a letter).

Edit: I should clarify - I wasn't charged for the supporting letter - but had to pay for the Blue Badge.

TimeLord1

Generally, as above, unless you qualify through a benefit or have help from a GP or specialist, they see it as a lack of evidence.

So if you believe the decision has been judged unfairly and denied your application, ask for a review.

https://go.walsall.gov.uk/benefits/blue-badge-scheme

OutdoorQueen

Have you thought about asking your local Citizens Advice, Age UK or a local support organisation to help you with the form?  They will know the best words to use.   

teddysmum

I only have AA and didn't have any paperwork, when I applied, as during the Covid event our hospital was using phone calls or the Patient Knows Best network for appointments and I assume that consultants like my neurologist were advised not to send paper based consultation reports. I sent in an application, explaining my lack, but did send details for contacting GP and Consultants, but they sent an email saying that wasn't enough.

I called and was advised to ask my GP for a list of my ailments, treatments and referrals, which should be free and it was free. It was three pages long, covering three years and was an interesting, sometimes amusing read. I was described as quite frail (something I had never classed myself as) and deaf, which I aren't  (because I saw  hospital heart consultant , when I had just dewaxed my ears, causing me to be hard of hearing on the day, but I had explained why).