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Would my family member get a Blue Badge?

66Mustang

My question relates to a family member. They have osteoarthritis in the knee very badly. They can’t walk any distance without pain, in fact they are in pain even while not walking or even standing. However, they have great pain management and are able to manage to walk a few hundred yards despite the pain.

To add complication to their problems, when they get in and out of the car they need to be able to open the door wider than normal to get in and out. This necessitates parking at the far end of the car park where it is quiet and you can park without other cars next to you. Ironically this then means that they have to walk further to the shop!

Being able to park in the wide disabled bay would therefore be of benefit for reasons twofold - being closer to the shop, and being able to open the car door.

I’m just wondering if anyone with experience of the system can share any idea as to whether my family member has any chance of being granted a Blue Badge based on the above, or would they be considered “too mobile” based on their being able to walk a few hundred yards?

Thanks in advance!

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Comments

Lisatho11987777

@66Mustang you normaly need enhanced mobility side of pip to get a blue badge free you can pay for a blue badge you would have to ask the local council how much the charge would be

66Mustang

Thank you @woodbine and @lisathomas50 for the comments, I appreciate it

They don't get any other benefits so won't qualify automatically sadly, but I will see if they will attempt to apply for an assessment.

Lisatho11987777

They cost 10.00 a year where I live to buy a blue badge you would have to ask your council how much they charge I get my badge free but pay 5.00 at the council for the photo to go on the badge

vikingqueen

You do not need enhanced mobility to get a badge @lisathomas50 here in England, might be different in Wales, and mine cost £10 for 3 years

Lisatho11987777

@vikingqueen if you read my previous comment I said to get a blue badge free you need to be getting enhanced mobility

I then said in another comment after I checked that you can buy them for 10.00 a year but would have to check with their local council

vikingqueen

I was only pointing out what you get in England @lisathomas50, because I've noticed that Wales seems to have a lot of different rules, and my mother in law has enhanced mobility but still pays the £10, might have to move to Wales as it seems you get a lot more

calcotti

https://www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge
A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland. It’s free in Wales.

Lisatho11987777

We get it free if we are on pip enhanced rate but have to pay if we aren't

janer1967

@66Mustang tas said each council gD 8ts own criteria but most to auto qualify you need enhanced pip for the moving around section eg 12 points

Even if you get pip there is a charge mine is £10 and badge lasts 3 years

Some councils will still issue a badge without getting pip by assessing the claimant

I would contact their local council see what they say

Lisatho11987777

I am surprised that in England you have to pay for a blue badge even if your on pip I also get free tax for my car as I don't have a mobility car so realy it doesn't matter wether you get pip or not yo still have to pay

janer1967

You do get free car tax if you get pip enhanced mobility in the UK buf yes blue badge still has to be paid for

calcotti

janer1967 said:

You do get free car tax if you get pip enhanced mobility in the UK buf yes blue badge still has to be paid for

It depends where you live. It is the local authority that determines the Blue Badge fee - but the fee cannot exceed £10.

Lisatho11987777

I have always had a free badge when I lived in England I used to get the orange badge free then I moved to Wales and I had the blue badge free didnt realise you didn't get a blue badge free in England I knew in wales you could buy a blue badge if you weren't on pip

Reg

@66Mustang - I have some of the same issues you mention in your post as I can’t manoeuvre myself out of the car out of a small car space without locking my hip and although I can walk with a crutch with lots of pain tablets the issue is if I take the tablets I can’t drive as I am too drugged up to drive.

I had resisted applying for a blue badge as I thought I would never qualify as I don’t get any passporting benefits and I can walk but I applied on Friday and got a decision today with no need for medical evidence or an assessment so it is worth applying.

I appreciate I may have been very lucky with my local authority or because I said I had mild CP and did not mention the hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis as I think they say arthritis is a treatable condition as it may not last more than three years - which is one of the qualifying criteria.

When I applied for Vat relief they said the same - osteoarthritis doesn’t qualify as doesn’t count as a long term condition but it is if you cannot have a joint replacement.

Hope my positive experience encourages your family member to apply as for me it means I can maintain independence and not rely on lifts.