Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: babyjane on September 02, 2017, 02:58:34 PM
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Nine years ago I was awarded a blue badge as I was poorly with ME/CFS and needed to use a walking aid or a wheelchair. Six years ago the blue badge was renewed without question when I applied. Three years ago it was renewed again without question even though I no longer use a wheelchair except on long day trips round stately homes and such like. My evidence of a fluctuating condition was accepted and granted.
It has come up for renewal again and I attempted to renew it online only to be met with a strict eligibility questionnaire that, because I did not fit their criteria, it would not allow me access to the renewal form or any opportunity to give further information.
I have had to telephone the local council office where I spoke to a very helpful woman who is sending me out a form to apply as on the form I can include additional information and evidence.
I realise the online application might be restrictive and simplified to cream off some applicants and make less paper applications but I think the online service needs to me more flexible to include people in my position and I have sent feedback to say so.
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I would also put in a Fee for the time it takes to fill in the form ::).
What happened to empathy >:(
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Hi CLKD, I suspect the powers that be are trying to dissuade people from applying, same with benefits in general. If you have to jump through too many hoops some people tend to give up. I was not going to bother but hubby thinks I should.
We had an elderly neighbour who did not apply for benefits she was entitled to on account of the daunting application form. A friend contacted AGE UK who sent someone round to help her with the form and she got her attendance allowance. So many probably don't bother because the application can be a minefield :(
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Paper work has always been the same, one requires a Degree in X, Y, Z just to open the envelope ::). I wonder how, because we run MACs, any form filling would turn out ...........
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It might be worth contacting Citizens Advice too so that you know exactly what to put on the form. If you get PIP and score over 8 points on the moving around assessment part then you get it automatically. It does seem to be harder to get one now to be honest so it pays to know just what you need to say.
Taz x
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Hi Taz2, no I don't get PIP, yet. I still get DLA low rate mobility and care because I still need a bit of help. The CAB were brilliant when I went for help with the forms for that, they are very good. The BB scheme has definitely tightened up.
I have a friend who was turned down for a BB despite being a full time wheelchair user :(. He went to the CAB and got the badge renewed within a week :)
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Interesting. Long before the Blue Badge came into existence, I had an orange one, so I'm going back approximately 40 years. (Wow, doesn't time fly when you are having fun).
In all those years my disability and the restrictions it imposes on me have never been questioned. I have DLA at highest rate for mobility and middle rate for care.
My bb needs to see renewed on 16/09. Nothing had arrived from the Council, so I rang to ask where I had to go to renew it. Like everyone else I have to apply online. I started with the forms but felt so uck that I decided to wait until I am in a better place to do the whole thing. I'll try again tomorrow.
CLKD, you are right about everything being made tougher as a way to discourage new claims and renewals. DH got the war and peace length forms 3 times in 12 months. Each time he did his best to complete it. Then I took it over and answered each question in turn. I ended up printing out 14 pages! Then he was called for an assessment. When we were called in, my first question was an inquiry into the qualifications held by the assessor. He's a Doctor. DH is now in the protected category. We think that it was hoped he'd just give up.
If I get problems renewing I shall simply go to see the CAB.
Brighteyes.
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DLA at high rate automatically qualifies you for your BB so you should not have to jump through hoops. That said you should have been contacted well before now for September renewal, mine is not due for renewal until November. when I spoke to them yesterday I was told that if there are any queries it is so that they can be sorted out before the previous badge expires so you are not left without one.
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BJ, Thank you for that info, I didn't realize that higher rate mobility meant an automatic entitlement to a bb.
Brighteyes
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Yes, it says so one the website and I was also told this when I spoke to them yesterday as they asked me if I received high rate (I don't)
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You can check eligibility criteria here Brighteyes https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/blue-badge-scheme/applying-for-a-blue-badge/
Taz x
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Thank you one and all. Your advice and information is highlighted appreciated.
Brighteyes