We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
Walking Criteria for Blue Badge Application?

Chris56000
Posts: 37 Forumite

. . .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!
. . .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!
0
Comments
-
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 lane0 -
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge
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)
- [...]
2 -
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?'1
-
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.
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.1 -
Aberdeenshire Council set the limit at 25 metres.0
-
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.0
-
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.0 -
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
0 -
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.
0 -
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).0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.2K Spending & Discounts
- 243.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 597.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.6K Life & Family
- 256.4K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards