Blue badge application

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What information is needed on the blue bade application please?
The instructions are vague, and whilst DM is struggling significantly with mobility she hasn’t been to GP apart from blood tests and such

You would need medical reports to back up the description you give of her mobility issues and how they affect her. The questions guide you but give as much detail as possible. HCP reports like a physio assessments, medical records from gp or hospital stating any operations, investigations, injuries or pain management or side effects of long term medication. Is she registered on the app which might give you copies of any letters or submit a dsar to the gp for records. 50m is the threshold for walking, which can be with aids or support, so if she can manage that she may not qualify. Some conditions automatically qualify. If you are unsure ask for help from local Age uk or CAB to complete the forms.

Thanks lizs. No she hasn’t got any of those documents. Defo struggling tho 🙁. I had to hold her elbow to get her across the road the other day. I’d use the badge to get her out and about a bit

The bar is quite high. I’d start by addressing the issues she’s having with the GP.

If your GP has a social prescriber, they can usually help with BB applications.

Would a Nimbus card help? I understand this may be a slightly easier process but don’t know for sure.

It doesn’t help you park your car, no.

I do a lot of Blue badge applications as part of my job. The most important thing is sending medical evidence with the application. Does the GP know about poor mobility and would it be documented in her GP records? If so then request a GP summary ( receptionist will print off at no cost ). If she takes pain killers then a prescription etc is useful. If it's hard for her to get in and out of a car etc then explain that and that extra wide parking spaces would help. Often the council will have people who will help you to make the application, our local county council does. The form usually asks if the person gets Attendance Allowance and whilst that doesn't mean they can get a BB automatically like people with certain points on PIP can, I'm sure it holds some weight.

Ah ok, I wasn’t aware of that.

This gives a pretty good idea. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge

How old is she? It may help if she’s older than 85. A neighbour of mine who clearly has mobility issues but doesn’t really have medical intervention and is currently 84 was refused but told she could get one if she applied at 85 (or that’s what she told me). My 90 year father got one pretty easily but my sister filled the application in because he wasn’t willing to be truthful about his mobility issues. Admittedly he has good days and bad days but he wanted to give the answer for his good days (which are frankly few and far between) rather than his bad days.

You dont say how old she is? If she is PIP eligible age then getting the motability element would help her with blue badge application (although its not quick) but if she is over that age then the disability benefit you might consider is Attendance Allowance which unfortunately does not have a mobility component. Either way I would see if your local Cit A can help with applications. If she is struggling with crossing the road etc it may well be that she has other personal care difficulties she hasn't mentioned to you which might mean she is eligible for either PIP daily living element or AA.

The person looking at the application has to find something to evidence that she is eligible. Has she had a care assessment (and report) for safety at home by an OT or seen a physio? Often a GP letter is not detailed enough.