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Original poster

1 in 20 people have a blue badge?

237 replies

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 16:54

So I’ve just had to battle to get a family member a blue badge, they receive high rate of everything and immobile but still a complete battle.

so I’m thinking ‘ok it must be very very difficult to get therefore hardly any must be issued’…. Nope figures from 22-23 show almost 5% that’s 2.6 million people have a blue badge.

surely these figures cannot be correct?

will it be completely impossible to find disabled spaces now we’ve got the badge?

we are in the SE

OP posts:
Original poster
Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:17

batshitaboutcatshit · 07/01/2025 17:16

At my local shopping centre they had about 30 disabled spaces which were always full. They've redone the car park and added approx 20 more - still all full every time I've been there whether it's weekday/weekend, morning or afternoon. It never used to be like this.

I think I could probably get a disabled badge for my son (autistic) but I never would because he really doesn't need it and is no longer a runner etc. I do wonder if some people apply for one when they don't really need it.

This is it I just can’t believe 1 in 20 people in the country have one but it was sooo hard to get. Some councils must just be handing them out?!

OP posts:
batshitaboutcatshit · 07/01/2025 17:16

At my local shopping centre they had about 30 disabled spaces which were always full. They've redone the car park and added approx 20 more - still all full every time I've been there whether it's weekday/weekend, morning or afternoon. It never used to be like this.

I think I could probably get a disabled badge for my son (autistic) but I never would because he really doesn't need it and is no longer a runner etc. I do wonder if some people apply for one when they don't really need it.

Original poster
Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:15

Also some neighbours as so nosy I bet they love reporting people once they see a numbered bay haha.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:14

MidnightPatrol · 07/01/2025 17:13

Latest issue with this in my area, is that the council will give you a disabled parking space outside your house if you have one…

… meaning a new disabled space pops up every day.

Not ideal for everyone else, as it has drastically reduced the number of spaces for other residents - and most of the cars never move.

Yes they said we could apply for this but really wouldn’t want to incase somone needed it more ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:13

Kitkat1523 · 07/01/2025 17:11

Anyone with pip mobility is entitled to a blue badge…my Dd has low rate mobility and got it no problem because she is entitled

Show quote history

This is so strange this was what I thought so having to literally jump through all these hoops something must have gone wrong?

we got it in the end but I cannot believe how difficult it was. Whole process took 6+ months and they’ve been on high rate pip over 6 years

OP posts:
MidnightPatrol · 07/01/2025 17:13

Latest issue with this in my area, is that the council will give you a disabled parking space outside your house if you have one…

… meaning a new disabled space pops up every day.

Not ideal for everyone else, as it has drastically reduced the number of spaces for other residents - and most of the cars never move.

Kitkat1523 · 07/01/2025 17:11

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:09

Yes highest rate pip for both (paper based too) and still all of this hassle :(

Anyone with pip mobility is entitled to a blue badge…my Dd has low rate mobility and got it no problem because she is entitled

Original poster
Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:09

Yes highest rate pip for both (paper based too) and still all of this hassle :(

OP posts:
JanuaryCrow · 07/01/2025 17:09

Do they receive high level PIP? That should automatically lead to a Blue Badge.

Or do they receive Attendance Allowance, the disability benefit for those of pension age? I've always thought that contained the inbuilt problem of not having a mobility component, so claimants have to go through yet another stage of bureaucracy to obtain a Blue Badge at a time of their lives when many could do without the extra paperwork and tech engagement.

LittleRedRidingHoody · 07/01/2025 17:03

I have never had a problem finding a disabled spot for DM, and we're generally out and about multiple times a day. I know people do complain, but personally I've never had an issue.

Original poster
Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 16:58

Phew thank you. I totally get 1 in 10 people class themselves as disabled so it makes sense but I was just shocked because it took us literally having to put them on a zoom call in the end to a decision maker.

maybe we just had a bad experience. It took so much mental energy I feel deflated now that we probably won’t be able to get spaces for them anywhere?

OP posts:
Latelifelesbian · 07/01/2025 16:57

If they get high mobility it shouldn’t have been a battle to get so sorry to hear that! I have a blue badge and generally don’t have too much issue finding parking.
they aren’t easy to get but a lot more people have disabilities than people think.

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