Please or to access all these features

SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Blue badge for 2 yr old

16 replies

Pumpkinpie11 · 24/05/2014 22:34

Does anyone have experience of this?
The direct.gov website and local authority documentation state that anyone over 2 can apply for a blue badge under the 'further assessment' criteria is they have a permanent and substantial disability and are unable or virtually unable to walk.
My LO meets the criteria and so I applied including supporting letters from GP and consultant.
The LA refused on the grounds that thy assessed the application on the grounds of an under 3 criteria which specifies you need bulky medical equipment which she doesn't have.
Would love to hear from anyone that has managed to get a blue badge for a 2 year old without medical equipment.

OP posts:
MostWicked · 24/05/2014 23:06

Does she get high rate mobility DLA?
That's the easiest way to get a blue badge, it's automatic qualification for one.

MostWicked · 24/05/2014 23:07

Does she get high rate mobility DLA?
That's the easiest way to get a blue badge, it's automatic qualification for one.

MostWicked · 24/05/2014 23:07

Does she get high rate mobility DLA?
That's the easiest way to get a blue badge, it's automatic qualification for one.

Pumpkinpie11 · 24/05/2014 23:08

She's 2 1/2 but will undoubtably get it when she's 3 as she can't walk.

OP posts:
MooMummyMoo · 25/05/2014 06:41

My DD gets high rate DLA. We didn't get a blue badge until she was 3. I did think that you only got one earlier if you were having to carry heavy medical equipment like oxygen around with you. I am no expert, but that was my understanding.

SallyBear · 25/05/2014 09:09

That was my understanding too.

Pumpkinpie11 · 25/05/2014 10:06

Maybe I'm reading this wrong.

The info is the start of section 2

OP posts:
MostWicked · 25/05/2014 16:27

"4. Special rules for children under three

A parent of a child who is less than three years old may apply for a badge for their child if the child has a specific medical condition which means that they:

a must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty; and/or

b need to be kept near a vehicle at all times, so that they can, if necessary, be treated in the vehicle, or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated, such as a hospital.

Explanation
A parent or guardian must apply on behalf of a child under the age of three. The list of bulky medical equipment referred to above may include:
• ventilators;
• suction machines;
• feed pumps;
• parenteral equipment;
• syringe drivers;
• oxygen administration equipment;
• continuous oxygen saturation monitoring equipment; and
• casts and associated medical equipment for the correction of hip dysplasia.

The child will be eligible to receive a badge if the equipment is always needed and cannot be carried without great difficulty. The local authority may ask for information from a medical professional involved in your child's care.

Examples of highly unstable medical conditions that mean children who have them may need quick access to transport to hospital or home may include:
• tracheostomies;
• severe epilepsy/fitting;
• highly unstable diabetes; or
• terminal illnesses that prevent children from spending any more than brief moments outside and who need a quick route home."

hazeyjane · 25/05/2014 20:26

As far as I understood it, a child under 3 is only eligible if they have to have bulky medical equipment or have seizures which mean that they need quick access to transport.

SallyBear · 26/05/2014 06:50

Years ago my dd had a trachy with a suction pump and for a while a feed pump, and I never though to ask for a blue badge. My littlest DS has severe autism and is genuinely scary in car parks, near roads etc. I have a blue badge for him. I had foolishly thought all those years ago when I was lugging about heavy portable suction machines, that blue badges were for wheelchair users. It took my unpredictable DS to make me realise that we could have had one for the first 7 years of DD's life too.

Pumpkinpie11 · 28/05/2014 22:52

I have responded to the refusal letter pointing out the paragraph regarding 2 year olds in their own documentation. (Link above)
It appears they were not familiar with the guidance and have refered the matter back to county hall.
I am just so fed up of childless people parking in parent & child spaces and then the looks I get when I park across 2 spaces so I can get my LO out the car.

OP posts:
MostWicked · 28/05/2014 23:35

So do you have bulky equipment or is it a health emergency issue?

MooMummyMoo · 29/05/2014 06:49

Why do you have to park across two spaces? Does she have a lot of equipment then, I am sure if that is the case then you'd be fine to get one.

hazeyjane · 29/05/2014 06:55

It sounds as though she will be eligible for the mobility element of dla when she turns 3, and she will get dla then. Until then I'm not clear on which criteria she fulfils that makes her eligible.

Perspective21 · 29/05/2014 16:34

My experience is of children with Downs Syndrome. All of the children I know got higher rate mobility DLA at 3, which is earliest you can get this component. If you are already in receipt of DLA, they send forms promptly, so you fill in just before child turns 3 and then you're ready to go down motability route if you choose to use your payments for that. Receiving HR mobility meant we automatically qualified for blue badge from our council, but we did need to submit form, DLA details and £10 fee.
It runs out same day as DLA expires and we will need to reapply for DLA again.

The only child younger than 3 I know who received a blue badge had a very specialzed and bulky buggy and oxygen. Apart from that, I'm afraid you have to wait it out...

Sneezecakesmum · 29/05/2014 20:14

I agree that it's unlikely the non walking element will fulfil the criteria but councils have the ability to deviate from the guidelines if they feel it's needed so by all means apply stating the reasons you need a BB. They can only say no. Smile

New posts on this thread. Refresh page