Is applying for a blue badge really that difficult??

[AuntieBiotics]

Inlaws are being very very difficult and intransigent about applying for a Blue Badge. Both are 82. MIL has osteoporosis, fell last year and broke her hip. Very little vision in one eye and lacking in confidence when walking. FIL the same age and has COPD.

We suggested they apply for a blue badge - they don't go anywhere much other than the supermarket and the doctor/hospital but it would make things so much easier parking at the door and FIL not having to leave MIL while he parks. My mum is younger (by a year) and has a blue badge - she was awarded it while waiting for a hip replacement but it was not me who did the application, it was my brother.

Inlaws say it's too hard, too many questions, have to be on benefits (I know this is rubbish), have to provide medical notes, get a letter from the GP. And besides, Marjory next door / the hairdresser's cousin / some man in the GP's waiting room applied and was turned down as not eligible and are far more disabled.

I’m guessing either they don’t want to have to admit their disabilities or the idea of form filling seems overwhelming for them.

Next time your partner visits, can they go through the form and just get it done? They’ve probably spent longer debating and dallying than just getting an application in. If it’s rejected it’s an hour and a stamp wasted.. hardly major stakes.

Think it depends where they are as it's down to individual councils. My experience of north Yorkshire is straightforward and quick.

It is much simpler than it once was. With a severe visual impairment and mobility limitations it should be relatively straightforward. Any consultant and diagnosis letters can be used as evidence. Do either get Attendance Allowance?

I find it straightforward and quick, unlike applying for benefits - filling the forms in, can take two days.

Pretty easy you can do it online, need some medical forms as proof

It's very easy. Do they get attendance allowance? Do that first, then getting a badge should be very straightforward. I would just do it for them to be honest. Old people get bamboozled by the idea of applying for things.

No it’s easy. We filled one in recently. Copd. You need your national insurance number. You need to list ailments. Then I think there were questions about your mobility, how far you can walk etc. they ask about attendance allowance because if you have that it helps with the application. But not interested in your general finance. We sent in the prescription renewal form with all the meds listed as supporting evidence. You can start and save if you need to. It was actually very straightforward. And it arrived very quickly. You are allowed to do it for someone as long as you have the information.

I got one about a year ago. I filled out a form
on the gov.uk website and tben I had to provide evidence to my local council. I get PIP (disability benefit) so I sent them my award notice. It was straightforward for me. I imagine though that if you have to rely on hospital letters as your evidence that you need the badge, the council will have to take time considering it, so that could be a lot slower.

They will have to know as you need a decent picture of them for the blue badge.

Oh not, it's FAR harder than that, and you have to pay to apply and won't get that back (again unsure if that's true and anyway they can afford it) - I do think it's partly that they refuse to accept how infirm they are. MIL refused to use a walker/stick after her hip op as someone might see her. I have pretty much given up with the pair of them as they are so awkward, DH is almost at that point too. Let them make their lives more difficult, no skin off my nose.

I found it very easy. Took about 15 min to get my dad's.

Same getting my dad one was bloody brilliant. Meant we got free parking at the hospital which saved a fortune.

Wasn't aware it was councils who administered it - we (and my mum) are in Scotland and they are in England so that was another "explanation" of why mum got hers so easily - everything is different in Scotland.

Not so fussed about free parking but MIL really is very unsteady on her feet (because she won't use the walking aids she needs) so the closer the better.

No the fee is refunded if they charge upfront and it is unsuccessful. Sell it on the basis of it making their lives easier. AA is also straightforward and SVI is a shortcut to getting it.

No they don't and absolutely would not apply for it.

No it’s v straightforward. I did it for my parents after it was refused, my dad had way overestimated how far mum could walk. Detail each of their medical conditions and any supporting docs u have, prescriptions, hospital letters, appointments, any evidence to back up their case. It was successful and it makes a massive difference to their every day lives.

So simple and you can do it for them. Ive never heared of them contacting the doctors. It's helped my husband so much I don't know what we did without it.

We're in Scotland and OH applied 3 months ago. Seemingly it's currently "with the assessor"

It is a bit of a faff, yes.. From memory I think you need to declare that mobility is a major issue and then you give details of all relevant medical notes. Think you give the name of GP surgery..Council can take up to about 8 to 10 weeks to approve ( at least it was that here in Hampshire) and sure enough it took them almost that long. Goodness knows why. Can't remember anything at all about finances, it's all about how well they can cope with crossing distances on foot.

Edited - as others are saying, yes you need to get a serious ( passport stylie) photo of the person in whose case you are applying. So you do need their co-operation.

Meant to add Scotland here

This.

You could just fill it in for them, but if they have diagnosed conditions and you can attach evidence for them (a letter from the hospital, or even a screenshot of their NHS app with their medications etc), it is actually very straight forward. Perhaps mention that it means parking is generally free with a blue badge? Saving money is often a bit of a sweetener…