Can you get BB without disability benefits?

Bigeyesbigears

Hi guys, first post here so please let me know if I've done anything wrong. 

Basically I have a bowel condition that means I need to use the bathroom with little or no warning at times depending on how my illness is at the time. 

I have no mobility issues but I have little bowel control making my need to use the toilet almost instant. 

This makes going out a chore for me as I need to make sure I'm close to a toilet and plan journeys so I know where toilet facilities will be. I have had to on occasion park in places I'm not allowed so I can use the toilet quickly. Been lucky so far in that I haven't received a fine for doing so, but it's only a matter of time. I have access to disabled toilets as my doctor advised me to get a radar key. 

Does anyone have any insight in this matter, my consultant agrees I need a BB but I wouldn't know where to start with trying to get one. 

Thank you

kimwp

What is a BB?

GrumpyDil

kimwp said:

What is a BB?

Blue Badge

Muskey

Yes, you can get a Blue Badge without receiving benefit, but it’s hard to do.
Ask your GP and local council how to make an application.

Alderbank

kimwp said:

What is a BB?

Usually it means BroadBand.

In this case the consultant probably means a Big Bucket. That would be much more useful to the OP.

I suppose it could also be a Blue Badge perhaps.

elsien

Local authority policies do vary with some being stricter than others so you need to look on your own area website.
My area focusses very much on mobility And anssociated issues, such as behavioural support needs or anxiety or difficulty in planning journeys. 

Example: 

• are unable to walk
• experience considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include considerable psychological distress
• you have a child under 3 years old and need to transport bulky medical equipment for urgent treatment, or always be near a vehicle so they can be treated or driven to a place for treatment for a permanent illness
• you drive a vehicle regularly and have a severe disability in both arms and have considerable difficulty using parking meters
• you are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others when walking and near vehicles in traffic or car parks
• severely struggle to plan or follow a journey
• find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
• regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
• frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public or open spaces

I think you would have to focus on the anxiety and the impact of going out, if you lived where I do, and I do think you’re in for a battle. 

Emmia

Muskey said:

Yes, you can get a Blue Badge without receiving benefit, but it’s hard to do.
Ask your GP and local council how to make an application.

GPs / consultants aren't involved in blue badge applications or assessments any more. Information on the scheme can be found on gov.uk. You apply to your local authority.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge

Muttleythefrog

As above... yes.... but it may not be simple... follow the link above and your council (who process an application and require documentation) for guidance. 

On the face of it I would read Elsien's post a few times as I agree with it... this could prove a delicate and tricky challenge given the problems you describe... they don't automatically or simply translate to the usual criteria so arguing otherwise may be a battle. I certainly can understand the issue though as I had similar symptoms along with bleeding and serious pain with undiagnosed rectal tumour... and it made going out almost a military operation.... I would imagine it could affect someone very negatively in terms of mental health when thinking about going out knowing the difficult and embarrassing problems that could arise without warning. I wonder if that is indeed the avenue of attack if one was to argue for the BB.

BridgetTheCat

Muskey said:

Yes, you can get a Blue Badge without receiving benefit, but it’s hard to do.

I haven’t found it difficult at all. I found it much easier to get a blue badge than to get PIP.

I think the OP might have more difficulty because their disability doesn’t directly affect their mobility.