Blue Badge

[PJ]

hi I’m hopeful someone on here will have an answer to my question.
Myself & my friend who also has young onset dementia applied for a blue badge when the law changed here in the UK re entitlement. However, we were both refused one? Has anyone else experienced this? Thank you

 

[nitram]

If you have not already done so have a read through
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/how-apply-blue-badge-person-dementia

Note that applications based on hidden disabilities are judged on free form entries, specific examples as evidence can help.
This is totally different to a normal application where proof of inability to walk 50 metres or wrists so weak that you can't operate a parking meter is required.

Appeal and make a substantiated case.

 

[Philbo]

Hi

My wife has had a blue badge for almost 3 years - our county council were ahead of the game in considering hidden disabilities. I wasn't aware of this until a coordinator from a local carer support charity asked if we had one. He explained the process and it was pretty straightforward (though you had to download and complete the manual process, as the online "check you are eligible" process "said no" if you didn't tick the physical disability questions).

So when she got a reminder that it expires in November (they last 3 years), I tried the online renewal process, which now includes a hidden disability option. I was dubious that they would renew it this time, as my wife has just moved into residential nursing care. I explained in the notes section that I was still hopeful that I could take her out for short trips in the future.

Anyhow, the blue badge arrived within 2 weeks.

Good luck with yours.
Phil

 

[canary]

Appeal and get someone like Age UK or Citizens Advice to help you.

 

[Lynmax]

I applied for one on behalf of my mum just before the changes came in. Her LA still allow paper forms so I was able to add a lot more info than I could when applying for my own online. I was asked to go for an assessment and was awarded one after a very short walking test and answering some questions about how I manage various tasks. Mum is still waiting but I've been told we should hear in a week or two.

I stressed the physical needs of her dementia on the worst possible day - risk of falls on uneven pavements and kerbs, using people as a walking aid, needing to keep spare clothes close by in case of incontinence accidents, easily distracted and prone to wander off if left alone outside, the need to get out of the house for stimulation, her anxiety when she cannot see me, the need to have a car handy if she gets upset etc. I don't know if that will be enough but at least once I have my own, I will be fine when I take mum out but my sister, her main carer, really needs mum to have one to help with shopping, medical appointments, activities etc.

I'll have to see what happens!

 

[PJ]

Thank you everyone for your help.

 

[Helly68]

I would also , in your application, stress things like the need to park close to shops as your PWD cannot be left alone, needs to be prompted at all times and needs to be near an accessible toilet. It is a triple (at least ) whammy of their safety - falls, trips, getting lost, inability to walk far (in many cases) and vulnerability.
If you don't automatically qualify, you may have to have an assessment.

 

[rhubarbtree]

Add to the list need to be able to open car door wide as the PWD finds getting in and out difficult. I did not have a medical letter for my OH but referred the council to the Memory Clinic (not sure if they did contact them). We got the blue badge.

Took OH and grandchildren out for a pizza the other day. Some children at the ticket machine commented to their mother about us parking in disabled bay and she said it could be illegal. Lucky for her I had my grandchildren or she would have been given some information on all disabilities not being visible. Instead I just held up the blue badge and helped OH out of car.

 

[Mustang66]

hi I’m hopeful someone on here will have an answer to my question.
Myself & my friend who also has young onset dementia applied for a blue badge when the law changed here in the UK re entitlement. However, we were both refused one? Has anyone else experienced this? Thank you

After a 12 week wait my Husband also been refused, sent approx 10 signed medical letters with application, he has young onset BV FTD has not been out on his own for over 2 years and the behavioural part means he is unpredictable, I am unsure how anyone sitting at a desk can make a decision on a rare dementia type which even GP's have no knowledge off, we have a nightmare with parking and even had to go home as he believes the spaces to be too small, the whole idea of this was to peoples lives that bit easier if at all possible....if he is not eligible I am unsure who is

 

[PJ]

After a 12 week wait my Husband also been refused, sent approx 10 signed medical letters with application, he has young onset BV FTD has not been out on his own for over 2 years and the behavioural part means he is unpredictable, I am unsure how anyone sitting at a desk can make a decision on a rare dementia type which even GP's have no knowledge off, we have a nightmare with parking and even had to go home as he believes the spaces to be too small, the whole idea of this was to peoples lives that bit easier if at all possible....if he is not eligible I am unsure who is

This is terrible. Can you try getting help from Age Uk? How old is your husband?

 

[Mustang66]

This is terrible. Can you try getting help from Age Uk? How old is your husband?

He is 64, 4 years in from diagnosis

 

[Lynmax]

The application for my mother was unsuccessful, although the LA will not formally write to say this as I have said I will appeal. Despite a letter from her GP and me emailing and quoting the new guidelines, they are insisting that she attends an assessment and mobility test. So we got into a stalemate situation as I could not provide any additional medical letters as mum does not see any specialist services and I was forced to withdraw the application. Maybe I should not have backed down but I did not know what else to do.

Totally pointless as she can walk further than 80 metres and will deny that she has any mobility problems. But they are ignoring the need to open the door fully to help her out of the car, the need to be close to the entrance of a shop when she has an anxiety attack and runs out, the lack of spatial awareness of surfaces with trip hazards, the need to be close to the car after incontinence etc etc.

I am disgusted with the attitude of the LA who seem to be applying the old criteria to applications for people with mental health illnesses.

Now that the election is over and she now has an MP again, I might write to him but I'm not sure I have the energy. Mum has now been diagnosed with breast cancer so I have enough to worry about.

 

[Mustang66]

The application for my mother was unsuccessful, although the LA will not formally write to say this as I have said I will appeal. Despite a letter from her GP and me emailing and quoting the new guidelines, they are insisting that she attends an assessment and mobility test. So we got into a stalemate situation as I could not provide any additional medical letters as mum does not see any specialist services and I was forced to withdraw the application. Maybe I should not have backed down but I did not know what else to do.

Totally pointless as she can walk further than 80 metres and will deny that she has any mobility problems. But they are ignoring the need to open the door fully to help her out of the car, the need to be close to the entrance of a shop when she has an anxiety attack and runs out, the lack of spatial awareness of surfaces with trip hazards, the need to be close to the car after incontinence etc etc.

I am disgusted with the attitude of the LA who seem to be applying the old criteria to applications for people with mental health illnesses.

Now that the election is over and she now has an MP again, I might write to him but I'm not sure I have the energy. Mum has now been diagnosed with breast cancer so I have enough to worry about.

You sign all the petitions etc. to push this through government and then get refused, the thing is the person at the desk who says computer says NO causes you so much stress because its so frustrating, I am appealing but to be honest its like fighting for something you know your entitled too and shouldn't have got to a appeal stage, it was put in place to enhance people life's with hidden disabilities, everything is a battle

 

[bobmacwos]

hi I’m hopeful someone on here will have an answer to my question.
Myself & my friend who also has young onset dementia applied for a blue badge when the law changed here in the UK re entitlement. However, we were both refused one? Has anyone else experienced this? Thank you

 

[bobmacwos]

hi pj
yes i can be hard to get blur badge as dementis is sometimes hidden where as one leg missing is not
find out who is your dementia champion in you social services team
they come and see you and help fill in form during accesment also letter from memory clinic or hospital who van verify you condition
hope this helps