To be really fed up by the blue badge renewal process

[Bourdic]

I have a progressive disability which impacts on my mobility. Every three years I have to apply renew my badge. My condition can never go into remission or stabilise but can only get worse and worse. Because the government has a target of reducing blue badges, at each renewal the form becomes increasingly complicated and has many what I regard as really weasley questions that I’m sure are designed with a ‘gotcha’ in mind. There are also many yes / no questions when the answer is often yes but or no but. There is not always a box for free text answers either. I have spent hours yesterday and today completing the form, uploading proof of address, identity ( all have to be certified). I can’t bear the thought of losing the badge but I’m also feeling tearful at being reminded yet again of all the things I can’t do and how this can only get worse. And the people wonder why I get so bloody mad at the misuse of blue badge spaces.Moan over an£ fingers crossed

Rainbow was this in England? Was it a form just for renewals? Does she qualify on a statutory ground or has to show she has severe walking difficulties? I’ve been on a few E la sites and they are all using the Gov suggested form which does not allow for renewals - the govt says renewals are not a category now but maybe that’s in 5heir guidance and some las are ignoring that.

Bourdic Yes every blooming year. Can't help wondering if the council just see this as a way to generate income.

Red please don’t tell me you live in England?

I did dd,s a while back and it was very quick and simple, but then ahe cant walk at all,
The bloody Esa form had me screaming, it didn't allow you to say can't walk at all.

I had a very useful conversation with the manager of the B.B. team today at my la. As well as complaining about all the technical,issues about the online form, I also tried to explain to her the emotional side of applying. I told her I would give anything not to need a B.B. and asked why their default position seemed to be that all applicants were on the fiddle.But what I also found out was that they have the power with people with progressive and other conditions that can’t improve to do a really simple renewal where I would just sign I hadn’t got better from the last application - I don’t know whether to be angry or weep abou5 that

I'd literally just read down to where you can do a 'condition hasn't changed' renewal. It's the same here.
I'm sorry you had to go through all of that stress, but at least you know for next time.

I would recommend you applying for PIP if you don't already. If your mobility is that bad then you will probably qualify for high rate mobility. Not only is that a gateway to the blue badge (although I agree that the ever increasing load of paperwork for claiming anything is a total headfuck) you would also get free tax on your car. This means you can park for free in a lot of places (although my council don't allow that without a permit which is £40 for three years).

Apparently our city council have the blue badge offices at the far end of the building up some stairs.
If you manage to walk there you're not entitled to a blue badge!

That's what an old man told me the other week anyway. He didn't get his renewed and they took away his current one.

@mineofuselessinfirmation
Just read where you say it is possible to do a condition hasn't changed renewal for BB.
Is that on the application form as I didn't get a renewal form so assumed I had to fill in the whole form again ?
Will be wonderful if I don't. As well as my usual condition I now have the dreaded virus. Tried to look at the form yesterday, couldn't manage to get very far but it seemed I had to fill it in before being able to scroll down.
TIA My brain really isn't working ATM.

I would recommend you applying for PIP if you don't already
As long as you get 8 points on the "moving around" descriptor, you will automatically get a blue badge
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/197719/can-i-get-a-blue-badge.pdf

This explains the PIP points system -
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

I decided against applying even though I'm on highest PIP and support ESA, not worth the impact on my mental health for only a few times a year, although I really could have used one today as the longer walk to hospital has left me in a lot more pain than I would be!
GOLDILOCKS You are automatically entitled to a blue badge as long as you get at least 8 points on the "moving around" descriptor of mobility part of PIP.

You say you are getting highest PIP, is that enhanced daily living or mobility??

If it is either standard or enhanced mobility then you will get a blue badge.

Bourdic No I'm in Scotland

I lost my mobility dla so have to apply separately. First time I had an assessment with a very caring physio. Second time I applied online & was given a badge without assessment. We had to pay upfront and they give it back if you don’t get the badge.

Having it makes an unbelievable difference to my life but my LA are having a crackdown on B.B. abuse & this inevitably means I get abuse from the well meaning public because I do not look disabled enough

The option to have a nothing has changed renewal is completely at the discretion of the la and my la has chosen not to use it although it seems they might consider it now. I’ll look at if I could get PIP. Red the rules in England are that a B.B. is given for 3 years and the las can’t charge more than £10