Page 8 | 1 in 20 people have a blue badge?

Oodlesofnoodlez · 2025-01-07T16:54:39+00:00

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

Frowningprovidence · 07/01/2025 17:43

I'm curious what you feel the right amount of disability issues that warrent a badge, if you think that 5% seems wrong somehow.

There's so much that can go wrong with a human body from conception till you die. It actually seems odd to me that only 5% need wider spaces, closer to facilities..

I dont think I have a figure of a right amount. If some nasty virus swept through we could all be disabled.

We need to design stuff for reality, not what we think it should be though.

BrightYellowTrain · 07/01/2025 17:43

In England, the enhanced rate of the mobility PIP does not automatically result in a person being eligible for a blue badge. In England, to be automatically eligible as a result of the PIP you receive, one needs at least 8 points on the moving around activity &/or 10 points exactly under descriptor E on the planning and following a journey activity.

So someone could have enhanced mobility and be eligible for a motability vehicle by having 12 points on the planning and following a journey activity but not eligible for a blue badge.

If your relative doesn’t have at least 8 points on the moving around criteria, and needing to ‘battle’ for the blue badge means they can’t have, yet they are immobile they obviously haven’t been awarded the right points.

ItsAMario · 07/01/2025 17:41

batshitaboutcatshit · 07/01/2025 17:23

Going off on a slight tangent here but I also don't know how things work if someone is elderly but doesn't receive any benefits etc? Can they apply for a blue badge?

I'm only asking as MIL always parks in disabled spaces but doesn't have a BB - she is elderly/ infirm and uses a stick so she does need a bit of space to get out and be near to the destination, but is she in the wrong parking without the badge?

Yes of course she’s in the wrong. They’re disabled spaces not OAP spaces. Tell her to apply for a badge.

Many elderly people seem to forget that they are disabled badges and not elderly badges. I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve been stopped pulling into a space and questioned by an older person because I’m young.

XylophoneXylon · 07/01/2025 17:40

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:39

Wow okay, that makes a bit more sense as to why the huge process but very odd rules in my opinion

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I had to get at least 8 points on one section and I think I had 6 and then I had to get 10 points under planning and following a journey but descriptor e and f are both 10 points and they only accept the 10 from e and I got my 10 points on f

*edited to add it was 8 points needed on ‘moving around ‘and I had 4 not 6

Original poster

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:39

XylophoneXylon · 07/01/2025 17:37

It used to be automatic if you had the higher rate for mobility as a few years ago I got one but when I went to reapply this year the LA had changed the criteria .

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Wow okay, that makes a bit more sense as to why the huge process but very odd rules in my opinion

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mollymazda · 07/01/2025 17:39

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:37

Nope sadly not automatic as many other posters have said too.

just an eye opener and a very unpleasant experience for everyone involved

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as the blue badge is actually awarded by the council.. do you think its to do with that? i have a friend who battled for 6 months to be awarded hers, yet i applied online, paid my £10 and had my 'award' email the next day and my badge arrived in the post 3 weeks later and the only real difference was the local authority?

Original poster

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:37

mollymazda · 07/01/2025 17:36

I have a blue badge, i do not get higher rate of anything and my condition is not related too MH. My need is no lesser than that of anyone else. If there is a space i will use it, if there is not one, i will park elsewhere or come back.

I am surprised that the OP had a struggle to get a blue badge when they are on the higher rate for PiP as i believe its automatic in those circumstaces especially for mobility issues?

Nope sadly not automatic as many other posters have said too.

just an eye opener and a very unpleasant experience for everyone involved

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XylophoneXylon · 07/01/2025 17:37

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:36

This is exactly what I mean! None of this makes sense to me.

if you’re disabled enough to have a mobility vehicle surely the blue badge should be included. I’m just so confused at who’s making the decisions on these BB’s.

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It used to be automatic if you had the higher rate for mobility as a few years ago I got one but when I went to reapply this year the LA had changed the criteria .

MontyNojangles · 07/01/2025 17:37

My dd gets high rate and has a motability car but apparently doesn't qualify for a blue badge like the other poster.

Make it make sense.

AgnesX · 07/01/2025 17:36

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.

I don't know about England but you only get a disabled spot if you have no parking available ie you live in a terrace. Anyone who has a blue badge can park in it, it doesn't technically "belong" to anyone.

Original poster

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:36

LittleRedRidingHoody · 07/01/2025 17:35

FWIW, when applying for my mums originally we didn't use the PIP eligibility as she hadn't had it granted yet - we just attached a doctors letter (issued for something else) showing limited mobility. When we had to renew, I tried going via PIP and it was denied, so I reapplied and uploaded just the letter and we got it.

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So it seems that basically PIP doesn’t really hold any weight with BBadges, so bizarre

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mollymazda · 07/01/2025 17:36

I have a blue badge, i do not get higher rate of anything and my condition is not related too MH. My need is no lesser than that of anyone else. If there is a space i will use it, if there is not one, i will park elsewhere or come back.

I am surprised that the OP had a struggle to get a blue badge when they are on the higher rate for PiP as i believe its automatic in those circumstaces especially for mobility issues?

Original poster

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:36

XylophoneXylon · 07/01/2025 17:34

I have PIP high rates both components, a motability car and was denied a blue badge !

This is exactly what I mean! None of this makes sense to me.

if you’re disabled enough to have a mobility vehicle surely the blue badge should be included. I’m just so confused at who’s making the decisions on these BB’s.

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Original poster

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:35

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 07/01/2025 17:34

Just so you're aware, a blue badge space outside a house is available to any blue badge holder, not just the person who lives there

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Not the case here, they have numbers on, at least in residential areas

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LittleRedRidingHoody · 07/01/2025 17:35

mumof1879 · 07/01/2025 17:29

Interesting…

I’ve been fighting to get one for my 11yo daughter with mobility issues with lots of evidence and they won’t grant her one!

FWIW, when applying for my mums originally we didn't use the PIP eligibility as she hadn't had it granted yet - we just attached a doctors letter (issued for something else) showing limited mobility. When we had to renew, I tried going via PIP and it was denied, so I reapplied and uploaded just the letter and we got it.

XylophoneXylon · 07/01/2025 17:34

I have PIP high rates both components, a motability car and was denied a blue badge !

Original poster

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:34

JustForThePicture · 07/01/2025 17:32

I’m sure you understand perfectly.

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I have no idea what you’re on about but I wish you a pleasant evening nonetheless.

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MontyDonsBlueScarf · 07/01/2025 17:34

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:14

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

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Just so you're aware, a blue badge space outside a house is available to any blue badge holder, not just the person who lives there

Phineyj · 07/01/2025 17:34

I'm not sure I believe those figures.

A friend of mine recently had to renew hers and as you say, it was a gigantic admin hassle.

I just don't believe 1 in 20 people are doing that.

Serencwtch · 07/01/2025 17:34

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:19

Eh?! I mean of course no shade to those with MH problems and of course they need them too but surely, just surely actual mobility physically takes priority ?

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Why?

Surely someone with a physical mobility problem could use a mobility aid - stick/wheelchair etc but there's no equivalent for someone with severe anxiety/dementia/autism with no sense of danger.

Original poster

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:33

CoastalCalm · 07/01/2025 17:32

In many cases they are not assigned to the individual though and any blue badge owner can park in them

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In our borough they have a number on them so I was led to believe that corresponds to a specific badge

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XylophoneXylon · 07/01/2025 17:33

Serencwtch · 07/01/2025 17:29

Not sure why you had a 'battle' as someone on high rate mobility is automatically eligible for a blue badge.

Does seem quite goady - I assume your relative is the one that deserves it whereas the other/certain blue badge holders don't?!

Not any more some LA have additional criteria depending on how the points for the pip award are distributed within the descriptors

CoastalCalm · 07/01/2025 17:32

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.

In many cases they are not assigned to the individual though and any blue badge owner can park in them

JustForThePicture · 07/01/2025 17:32

Oodlesofnoodlez · 07/01/2025 17:26

Sorry?

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I’m sure you understand perfectly.

baklavagoddess · 07/01/2025 17:32

I have a badge as I can't drive due to neurological issues, I've heard of a few people in my area who have fake ones so I'm not sure how widespread that is