Why is it so difficult to get a blue badge?

SheffieldMan1976
SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 636 Connected
in Everyday life

We applied to Sheffield City Council a few years back for one, but because I don't trust the local Postal service to not lose important documents, we were sending in copies and not the original evidence documents and the Clowns in the Town Hall insisted on the originals so we were denied.

Has anyone else experienced this and would there be a way round it? Such as emailing scans of the original documents?

Comments

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Online Community Member Posts: 8,560 Championing
    edited February 22

    You can usually apply online

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

    I did for mine last year though my LA take a very long time, minimum 12 weeks at which point they will accept enquiries about a particular application.

    I sent a polite email in week 13 and a few hours later received confirmation it had been approved & issued.

  • Tony60
    Tony60 Online Community Member Posts: 49 Empowering

    I got one a few months back when my son passed his driving test. Just applied online and it came within a few weeks.

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 3,937 Championing

    I've never had a problem getting one.

    Just did it online, scanned the required documents and it was processed fairly quickly.

  • JennieWren
    JennieWren Online Community Member Posts: 90 Empowering

    I’ve always done my application on line with photos of documents. I can take several weeks though.

  • bookrabbit
    bookrabbit Online Community Member Posts: 273 Pioneering
    edited February 22

    I did it online and it was easy peasy. Uploaded photos of evidence, approved the next day and received the badge within a week.

  • Billiegoat
    Billiegoat Online Community Member Posts: 32 Contributor

    Did it online. Shouldn't need to post.

  • tifo
    tifo Online Community Member Posts: 147 Empowering

    The blue badge process itself is VERY difficult in my opinion (2 applications non PIP).

    The first application in 2023 was declined immediately, the letter was dated the same day.

    I've just been successful with the second application and it has taken 5 months from October last year. This time i included mental health issues as i've had CBT and it's ongoing. BUT i have the same mobility issues i did in the previous application as they're lifelong and will not get better. And this time the council asked a LOT of questions esp for mental health and a GP letter.

    The only reason i applied again was that i was asked in my PIP assessment last year (declined 0 points) if i had a blue badge. The report then stated "no blue badge" in all descriptors, same as the "has a driving license" statement in all descriptors. Their point being that if you have no blue badge then you have no mobility issues and if you drive then you have no mobility and cognitive issues. The PIP application is going to appeal soon.

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 3,937 Championing

    I think maybe it depends on different local Councils who decide whether a person qualifies.

    Of course I could be wrong but I obtained blue badges easily and quickly from two different counties I lived in because of having higher rate mobility pip

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,797 Championing

    It's definitely area specific. I got mine fairly easily, all done online/via email as I couldn't travel as far as the council office or speak on phones. Sadly I left it too late and never got much use out of it before losing the ability to drive, in hindsight I wish I'd applied earlier.

    Ironically being housebound now entitles me to an automatic blue badge…which I obviously can't use because I can't go anywhere! I have no idea idea who decides these things. I'm also now entitled to 50% off car tax, which would have been much more use when I was able to drive. 🙄

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