When you have an invisible illness/disability, it can be hard to prove to people that you are chronically ill. It can also mean that sometimes, help and support isn’t available to you. However, last Friday (30th August 2019), the government made some MAJOR changes to the Blue Badge scheme. They’re the first in over 40 years which means you may now be able to get one.
Prior to the changes, it was mainly physical disabilities which could get a blue badge. H
What is a Blue Badge?
Okay, let’s start with what a Blue Badge actually is (and why you might need one).
Blue Badges are for people with disabilities who have difficulties using public transport and allows them to park as close as possible to where they are going.
Depending on the location, Blue Badges can allow you to park free of charge in pay and display bays and for up to three hours on yellow lines. In London, it means you’re exempt from the congestion charge.
Am I eligible for a Blue Badge?
The requirements for Blue Badges change between Scotland, Wales and England. It also depends on your local council, who decide whether your eligible or not.
You are automatically eligible for a blue badge if you;
- receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
- get the Personal Independence Payment because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
- receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for Descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress
- are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
- receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
- have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1-8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
- score 10 points in the ‘planning and following journeys’ part of your mobility assessment for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – specifically, the 10 points which
says , “Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant.”
Scotland
In Scotland, you are also automatically eligible if you;
- scored 12 points in the ‘planning and following journeys’ part of your mobility assessment for PIP
- previously received the higher rate of the mobility component for DLA indefinitely
- have had a mandatory reconsideration for PIP accepted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – you are eligible for a 1 year badge
Wales
In Wales, you are also automatically eligible if you;
- scored 12 points in the ‘planning and following journeys’ part of your mobility assessment for PIP
- receive tariff level 6 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme for a permanent mental disorder
Other ways you may be eligible
Just because you aren’t automatically eligible doesn’t mean you can’t get a blue badge. The changes which were made mean that you might be eligible if you;
- cannot walk at all
- need help walking, either from someone else of walking aids
- find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes
- walking is dangerous to your health and safety
- have a terminal illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a DS1500 form
- have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
- a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
- a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
- are constantly a significant risk to themselves or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
- struggle severely to plan or follow a journey
- find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
- regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
- frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces
Why do these changes matter?
Some of you may be thinking why do these changes matter?
They matter because finally invisible illnesses are starting to be seen, including mental illness.
I know for a fact these changes would have been helpful when I still had my colon. It means that more people are going to have the support and ability to get out and live their lives.
There is still some way to go, and it’s unclear at the moment as to how much it will impact those with chronic illnesses. However, if you are going to benefit from having one, it’s definitely worth a try!
You can click here to apply for a blue badge and to find out more.
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