Walking Criteria for Blue Badge Application?

Chris56000
Chris56000 Posts: 37 Forumite
10 Posts First Anniversary
edited 5 May at 5:08PM in Disability money matters
. . .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!
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Comments

  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 19,912 Forumite
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    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.
    Life in the slow lane
  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 36,928 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic

    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
    Rover_Driver Posts: 1,519 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    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
    teaselMay Posts: 656 Forumite
    500 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 5 May at 3:34PM
    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
    Iceweasel Posts: 4,874 Forumite
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    Aberdeenshire Council set the limit at 25 metres.
  • Herzlos
    Herzlos Posts: 15,699 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    . . .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
    HomingPigeon Posts: 453 Forumite
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    edited 8 May at 9:40PM
    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
    TimeLord1 Posts: 869 Forumite
    500 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper

    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
    OutdoorQueen Posts: 128 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 13 May at 6:43PM
    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
    teddysmum Posts: 9,517 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    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).
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