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Elderly parents
Original poster

How high is the threshold for blue badges?

33 replies

tobyj · 22/11/2023 21:51

DM has had arthritis for many years, but in the last few months she's finding it harder and harder to walk far. She can still walk - but she's increasingly slow and unsteady, and it's now starting to affect her decisions (eg she didn't want to come to an event because the nearest place to park is maybe 300 yards away, and she'd struggle to walk there and back). I looked at the guidelines for blue badges, as I thought that might help, and the majority of the things on the list don't apply to her, but one of them just says something like 'if you find walking very difficult due to pain'. I've no idea what the definition of 'very difficult' would be, and whether there would be any point in her applying.

(NB she also has cognitive decline and anxiety, which doesn't help matters. She doesn't drive herself any more, so it would be a badge for my dad's car.)

Does anyone have experience?

OP posts:
thesandwich · 22/11/2023 22:35

Different local authorities vary in how stringent they are- some requiring in person assessments. Check your local authority.

caringcarer · 22/11/2023 22:33

It's strict. My Foster son has a blue card. He can physically walk but can't go out on his own due to learning disabilities and he doesn't understand danger from vehicles. He scored 12 points on PIP so I applied for a blue badge for him so I can drop him in the car park at college for which you can only access with a blue card, but got turned down because he can walk 20 metres. I have to park about 1/3 of a mile away, pay to park, walk with him to college, then walk back. I just wanted to drive into the back of his college, drop him off, and drive home. I would literally be there 2 minutes walking him on to the pavement and watching him go in.

Potentialmadcatlady · 22/11/2023 22:19

They are stricter now but worth applying, it’s not a difficult form ( compared to pip)
They will probably contact GP so I would try and get an up to date appt with them.
Point to note- the badge is for the person not the car so it could be used in any car as long as your mother is in it.

Jeannie88 · 22/11/2023 22:17

Apply for one, sure she will get it. X

LIZS · 22/11/2023 22:15

Fil has recently got one. He had a hip replacement 20 years ago which is now failing, just sent a copy of his medical notes. If she cannot walk more than 20m without needing to rest she should qualify.

Pigeonqueen · 22/11/2023 22:13

Just apply. Honestly the worst that can happen is they say no.

Wotsitfappe · 22/11/2023 22:06

My grandad still gets the bus on his own (can't drive) but got one recently. He walks slowly with a stick. I'd think she would qualify.

HumerousHumous · 22/11/2023 21:59

I wouldn't think too deeply about the guidelines and simply just apply on your DM's behalf. If she is in pain then that is what you focus on. Bear in mind also that the cognitive decline, which might be dementia, is also taken into account now with blue badges as it's an invisible disability. We got my Dad's badge not on mobility, although at 91 he is slow and a bit wobbly, but because he is very deaf and doesn't hear vehicles, eg in a car park; also because he has heart failure so gets breathless and also he has Alzheimer's.

You might find that the doctor's verification for your Mum may mean she is not even called in for an in person assessment. My DF wasn't, it just went straight through. Send in evidence eg dr or consultant letters, medication lists etc.