Blue Badge Holders, Help And Advice Please.

[Tilly2]

I have just spent an hour or so filling in an application for a Blue Badge for my Dad. I didn't have the guidance notes and have filled it in to the best of my ability. He has no benefits apart from Industrial Injuries Benefit.

I found the section about his walking ability particularly difficult. He can only walk short distances around his home, with the aid of a frame. I have no idea how far he could walk. I have had to imagine if he could walk the length of a double decker bus, or a tennis court and I have no idea how long it would take him to do it.

Should I just go for the minimum or state that he cannot walk at all, without help. If I take him out we have to take a wheelchair and I find it difficult to lug it in and out of the car and push him around, as I'm no spring chicken!

[ubasses]

I think that the fact he is in a care home helps, seems to make it easier. Mum's just arrived without any assessment.

[Tilly2]

His Social worker has assured me that he will not have any problems with getting a badge. It's just me mithering about filling in the form correctly. I want to be as accurate and truthful as I can. I am making a rod for my own back, I think.

Chris, I'm in Bedford, not Norfolk but thanks for the link.

[tamborine]

You need some mobility for a bluey. Diszbled parking isabout 25 foot from supermarket entrance.

[Tilly2]

Anyway, I will go for the minimum amount of metres and guess how long it takes. I suppose I could take a stop watch when I go tomorrow and make him walk to the lounge and see how long that takes! :-)

Thank you all for trying to help. I feel a bit less stressed about it now. (I think)

[ubasses]

I was right, you are in Bedford, I did not have any problems with them at all. Makes such a difference being able to get extra long spaces to get wheelchair out of boot and extra width the get passenger out of the car. Free parking is just a bonus.

[Tilly2]

Tambo, that's why we have a fold up wheelchair that goes in the back of my car. There is always an amount of distance to cover, wherever we go. It hurts my neck and back pushing him about.

[Tilly2]

I am looking forward to that ubasses. Yesterday, I had to take him to the hospital and I had to plonk him, in his wheelchair, at the entrance whilst I went off and waited for a parking space on the car park!

[Buenchico]

Not that it matters very much but the Bedford notes seem to say much the same as the Norfolk ones do:
http://www.bedford.gov.uk/docs/Blue%20Badge%20Scheme%20Application%20Form%20Guidance%20Notes%20-%20UPDATED%20JANUARY%202014.doc
(That's a 'doc file, so it opens in Word or similar)

[tamborine]

Most hopitals & smkts have wheelchair hire. Beware he is with you when you park up or you could be fined. Good luck

[Tilly2]

Thanks for the notes, Chris. I tried to find them but couldn't :-)

[Tilly2]

Thanks for that advice, Tambo. I will watch out for that.

[EDDIE51]

You should put down how far he can walk on his worst days ( that's if there are good and bad days) so putting that he can't walk at all without help is correct. My wife has a blue badge and the CAB told us you have to put what it is like on the worst days. It is VERY unlikely that he will be called for an assessment, they only do that if fraud is suspected.

[Canary42]

If he can only walk "short distances round his home, with the aid of a frame" then there shouldn't be any doubt about his eligibility. Don't get bogged down worrying about exact details, just take a punt at the answers.

Good luck.

[Rtaxron]

I have a badge, I just put 12/15 feet, with a walking stick, then have to rest for a few minutes, there will be no need to go for an assestment.

Dont start timing and stop watch stuff, I just sent the form and it was granted, stop worrying, as he has a 99% of getting it being in a home.
I live at home.

[Tilly2]

Again, thank you all. Now I just have to get him to a photo both for his photograph.

[ubasses]

Take him to the Picture Framing shop in the High Street, they were brilliant with Mum, she did not have to get out of the wheelchair. I went there this week for my bus pass photo. £5.99 and all cut to size.
http://www.picturegalleryuk.com/picture-gallery-and-framing-centre-bedford

[Tilly2]

Thanks, ubasses. x

[pastafreak]

I used to live outside Bedford...worked a few doors from the Framing Shop. Small world. ;-)

[Tilly2]

It is indeed, Pasta.

[ladyalex]

When I applied for a blue badge for the dowager auntalex the council department (Fife) were very helpful about the photo.
They allowed me to send in a normal recent photo that we had of her and they used that for the badge.
I would phone and explain how difficult it would be for you to get your Dad to a photo booth and see what they suggest.
Don't try to use the badge without him in the car with you...the fine is pretty hefty if you're caught.....and there will be plenty of people ready to report you to a passing Parking Warden if they think you are using it without the disabled person being present.