Disabled badge scheme

Katykat

Does anyone know if my FiL could get a blue badge. he has been on lower rate DLA for a number of years for walking problems. he had polio as a baby and one leg is quite disaabled, although hr managed to work until he was 58 when he had to finish, then he had to go on disability benefit. About 4 years ago, he started to fall quite a lot and he applied for the higher rate of DLA. They sent an acknowledgement of his application which contained the line" your benefit may be increased or reduced or even withdrawn". He was frightened he would be left with no money, so he made me ring and withdraw the application. Recently he has had a major operation for cancer and he is now very unsteady on his feet, keeps falling over (he's 84 now) I have to take him to hospital regularly and its costing £5 parking every time, and very difficult getting hime from the car park to the hospital. I fel he should qualify for a disabled badge but he wont let me apply in case they stop his DLA.
Is he entitled to a badge without the higher rate DLA?
Makes my blood boil when I see some people getting out of their 4x4's and sprinting off without any sign of disability when old people are frightened out of claiming anything.

johnroberts07

You have to get high rate to get a badge, but you could go to CAB and ask them to apply for the higher rate

Alfie_E

While receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance is evidence of entitlement to a Blue Badge, it is not a requirement. See Directgov’s page The Blue Badge parking scheme. Your FIL will only have to convince his county council that he has impairment such that he is unable to use public transport. From your description, he sounds like he would get a Blue Badge.

wearside_2

Your father in law may also be eligible for a badge if he:

• has a permanent and sustainable disability which means he cannot walk, or which makes walking very difficult
• drives a motor vehicle regularly, has a severe disability in both arms, and is unable to operate all or some types of parking meter (or would find it very difficult to operate them)

See the CAB or ask his doctor if he would countersign the application form.

TangledMemories_2

We got a blue badge from the local council BEFORE we even applied for DLA. The rating of DLA is irrelevant.

keelyjrs

As alfie says, higher rate mobility automatically entitles you to you a blue badge but it doesn't mean you cannot get it otherwise. My Dad gets it and doesn't get DLA I would apply to your local council, and try and get him to go for higher DLA too as he defiantely sounds like he has greater needs

emilyt

Shouldn't your fil be entitled to attendance allowance.
Just a thought.
Maybe he can't recieve both attendance allowance and DLA.
I would certainly talk to his doctor as he is entitled to a blue badge. My MIL has a blue badge and she was still working when she first got it. She wasn't claiming DLA.
Isn't there a social worker you could talk to about his needs. Just a thought.They can look at what his needs are.
Good luck
Emily

judy2357

Im sure your FIL is more than entitled to a blue badge and as mentioned previously Attendance Allowance should definitely be applied for.

MARTINS_DOLL

Attendance Allowance is payable to people aged 65 years or above.
It is the same as DLA for people who are under 65, the rates are pretty much the same.

Check it out here...

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10012442

Good luck, it seems he should qualify.

Katykat

Thanks everyone. well, council seems to think he will get a blue badge. he catagorically refuses to apply for higher DLA, and he cant get this and A Allowance, which he wont let me apply for anyway. He only got lower DLA because his Dr told him he couldn't carry on working, and he was too young for pension.