Blue Badge Renewal

OverlyAnxious

Hi,

Just had an email to say my Blue Badge renewal is due.

Sadly I only got about 3 months use out of the badge before losing the ability to travel altogether.  I'm wondering if there's any point in renewing it now?

I did get 1E for PIP Mobility last year so should be automatically eligible for a badge in future if a miracle occurred and I regained the ability to travel occasionally.  

Is there any reason not to just the let the badge lapse?

Thanks

Albus_Scope

Hey @OverlyAnxious I agree with Biblio here, it's much easier to have your blue badge and not use it, rather than wanting to use it and not being able to until you go through the process again.  

OverlyAnxious

Biblioklept said:

I know you can't get out right now but if you did find your way back to it, having the blue badge would help make it easier so I'd say it's worthwhile renewing especially since you should be automatically eligible. Renewing must surely be easier than starting a fresh application  

That's what I was thinking but it doesn't seem any easier to renew. 

It's asking for another head & shoulders picture and another scanned bill to prove address and another scan of driving licence etc before I can even see whether I'll have to fill in the application form again.  (I wasn't automatically eligible last time).  Just thinking that if it's as much hassle to renew as to start fresh then there doesn't seem any point in doing it early.

poppy123456

Sadly, renewing is the same as a first time claim. However because you now automatically qualify ( I don't know if you did for your current one) then it will still be a very simple process. You will need to send them proof of your PIP award, which much be dated within the last year and must show where you scored those points for the mobility section. 

It may not be of use to you right now but if things change a little for you in the future then you will have that BB ready to use. Mine costs £10 and I think most LAs charge the same, in England anyway. 

OverlyAnxious

poppy123456 said:

Sadly, renewing is the same as a first time claim. However because you now automatically qualify ( I don't know if you did for your current one) then it will still be a very simple process. You will need to send them proof of your PIP award, which much be dated within the last year and must show where you scored those points for the mobility section. 

It may not be of use to you right now but if things change a little for you in the future then you will have that BB ready to use. Mine costs £10 and I think most LAs charge the same, in England anyway. 

Thanks Poppy.  I didn't automatically qualify the first time.  Now knowing that the PIP award form needs to be dated within a year means that it would be easier to do it now, since it is still just within a year since my PIP renewal.

OverlyAnxious

Biblioklept said:

Seems very silly to have to do new pictures each time!! Could you send the same photo you used last time @OverlyAnxious?

I never understand all the hoops they make people jump through. Why not just asked "has your appearance or address changed?" 

I'd still go with it so that you have it though. That way it can't present as an additional barrier to you getting out and about if you find the strength one day, even for two minutes  

Not sure if they'll allow the same picture but that would have been on my old laptop anyway.  Fortunately they accept mobile phone selfies now, as I'd have no way to get a professional passport type picture taken.

Ironically, the only real chance I have of travelling again would be after moving somewhere more suitable.  So I'd have to change the address on the Blue Badge then if I do get another one now.  Hopefully that doesn't require so much hassle though.

poppy123456

OverlyAnxious said:

Biblioklept said:

Seems very silly to have to do new pictures each time!! Could you send the same photo you used last time @OverlyAnxious?

I never understand all the hoops they make people jump through. Why not just asked "has your appearance or address changed?" 

I'd still go with it so that you have it though. That way it can't present as an additional barrier to you getting out and about if you find the strength one day, even for two minutes  

Ironically, the only real chance I have of travelling again would be after moving somewhere more suitable.  So I'd have to change the address on the Blue Badge then if I do get another one now.  Hopefully that doesn't require so much hassle though.

No, you don't need to change the address on your BB if you move house before it expires. There's no address linked to it as such and you can use it in any area anyway. All you need to do once it's due to expire is apply with your new LA. 

OverlyAnxious

Small update:

I did take another picture, as well as picture of my driving licence and a utility bill.

Uploaded them onto the online system, paid the £10 fee, and that was it...  There was no form to fill in and nothing asking about PIP or practical ability this time.  Not sure if I missed out part of the system by mistake or if they now have direct access to PIP points.  Will just have to wait and see what happens now. 

Hannah_Alumni

@OverlyAnxious Hopefully it won't be too long a wait until you hear back!  

OverlyAnxious

Hi all,

Final update on this. I received the new badge in the post this weekend. 🙂

Adrian_Scope

Great news @OverlyAnxious, I'm pleased it sounds like it was a much simpler process for you this time. :)