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Hi MAE,

It does seem to vary a lot between councils and who is looking at the application. I have ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and some sort of inflammatory condition yet to be given a diagnosis. I was awarded a BB in 2019 after an assessment, refused it at renewal because of a lack of up to date evidence (and that I can walk further than the eligibility criteria) BUT when I decided to reapply again in 2023 I discovered that my LA has a form for hidden disabilities - which was much better for me to fill in because I could talk about the impact of a journey/walking, and this was after a phone call to the BB team. I wonder if a call and explaining the difficulty of evidence and asking if they have a hidden disabilities form might help? I always put on my forms that there is no ME/CFS treatment locally. I do get PIP which has helped with evidence (and that has been thanks to the excellent resources on this site) but didn't have much evidence before that. And I don't have points against the relevant descriptors that get an automatic BB, but it has helped evidence my wider limitations and how that also impacts on my mobility. Mind you I have just reapplied for a renewal so who knows whether I will get it again despite my condition getting worse! Good luck with it all.

Thank you Sum. This is discouraging of course but we will do as you suggest and ask for further assessment. I just wish it wasn't this hard!!
Mae

Thanks BIS for your considered reply. We will approach the council again but there does not appear to be an appeals process. Knowing there is a precedent is helpful.
Mae

LOL .... probably if aut entitiled !

the clue is in the headline ... Improving digital take-up and completion rates for the DfT’s Blue Badge scheme no big highlight for approved application rates ...

this is selling ploy to encourage corporates to digitise bsack office functions .... less ppl in your LA backoffice = less revenue cost for LA .

its even worse if/when Ai is 'employed' to review and vet applications 👁️

Hi Sum

In this flashy video from Valtech they say it only takes 19 days to get a Blue Badge.
www.valtech.com/work/department-for-transport/

David

Hi Mae ,

I used to work for a LA and familiar with LA mobility team process before digitisation. Btw I left LA employment awhile ago

BUT , i have made applications for family members , all who have variety conditions impacting mobility and getting out about.

All the applications have been refused bar one. The only one that was accepted and approved was the one who recvd PIP criteria for mobility.

What i do know - and have recent confirmation by LA mobility team I contacted about rejection - is that the applications are reviewed by public servants , not medical experts. LA's in London esp, i suspect, don't have funding and resources to have experts review applications.
Given that fact, they rely on Gov agencies ie DWP to vet and process medical application via HAAS /HCP which they accept are sufficient to rely on. Therefore automatic approval.

there may be some richer authorities that will do their own medical assessments i believe.

so i am Appealing PIP for family members who were refused.

Perhaps call and ask your local authority if they can do a medical assessment ? if not then they rely on PIP , which is one of the questions asked on the application Hint hint !

hope that makes sense . im not expert just sharing my experience. pls someone correct me if wrong

Hi MAE

Re: being turned down for a blue badge from a council. I'm sure it probably varies from one council to another, but I certainly know people who have got blue badges without having a letter from a consultant. Obviously I don't know exactly why your partner got turned down, but I would consider appealing the decision if possible. People with long-term conditions often don't have recent contact with consultants, and that is discriminatory if they are trying to make that a condition of you receiving a badge.

I haven't heard any member say they have applied for PIP on the basis that they hope to meet the right criteria for a Blue Badge, but that doesn't mean they haven't. Hopefully someone might say what they did. Have a look at the Guide to PIP claims and Reviews and see if you think your partner will meet the PIP criteria that triggers an automatic Blue Badge. It's not the condition per se - it's how the condition impacts their mobility as laid down by the criteria. Have a look, come back, and ask any questions you might have, and we will try to help.

BIS

My partner who has had ME/CFS for 30+ years has been turned down for a second time when applying for a blue badge. She does not have PIP. The issue is that blue badge requires more than GP evidence, but she has had no referral to consultants as there is no ME treatment pathway. We are worried that if we try to get PIP as a means to get the blue badge we will come up against the same issue. Has anyone else had a similar situation and found a way around it?

Sent my review form back in February with loads of evidence. My award runs out in 4 weeks and so does my blue badge.

Apparently they dont have details of who my provider is so they dont know when it will be done. Ive already extended my blue badge once this year.

Im finding it incredibly distressing. I put a lot of effort into the review form and provided 38 pieces of medical evidence to be told I hadnt provided enough evidence and that they need to go through the whole assessment process. Ive been on enhanced care and mobility for 13 years.

Ive got several close friends who wrote no change and provided no evidence but got a reply within 2 weeks giving them 6 years. Others got automatic extensions.

The system is so unfair. It causes so much anxiety and stress.

What do you think is likely to happen and what can I do to get it sorted?
Thanks

Thank you for your prompt reply David.
Much appreciated.

Hi JackieO

Someone from a local advice agency should be able to fill in the form for your husband if you were to liaise with them. I don't know if your husband has connections with charities such as SSAFA etc which could help.

Let me know how you get on.
David

Hello,

I would be grateful for advice please.

My husband receives PIP at the Standard Rate for Daily Living = 10 points and also the Mobility Component = 10 points for 'Planning & Following a Journey (You need another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid to follow the route of an unfamiliar journey). This award is until 29th June 2027 and was awarded by the Tribunal on 22 June 2023.

His Blue Badge is due for renewal and following applying for the renewal, he has been sent an 11 page medical questionairre to complete, which is causing him untold stress and anxiety again, as it brings back memories of going through the PIP process, assessments and Tribunal previously to obtain his PIP award.

The issues relating to his PIP award, is of an extremely personal and intimate nature and he finds it very hard to talk about, even to me or his GP.

Apparantly, the GP cannot fill in the form and it must be another medical professional involved in his care. However, the GP if anyone, is the only person he has shared his difficulties with.

Could you advise me of a way forward with this situation please?

Many thanks.

So in November 2025 they had added another 3 years to my PIP award without telling me. I found out when renewing my blue badge. No letter informing me or review form was sent. After asking on a forum it was thought they'd used info from my previous review form. However I just created a Gov account to check if I'm due an extension - and turns out I won't because I've already had the "6 years " awarded to me. (My 3 year award from 2022 plus the 3 years extension last November. ) They hadn't used my previous review form in November but had auto extended it for a further 3 years. So my review date of Nov 2028 still stands. I note that those receiving extension letters are being told they may get further extension at review date, so that may apply to me also, who knows -as they never sent me a letter with new review date! However at least now I have been able to ask for an entitlement letter via Gov site. I am posting this in case it's of interest or help to anyone else.

Thank you so much for clarifying!
This is an appeal for a first application that was denied.
I was hoping that refusal to reply meant that they think their decision was weak in the first place. I have a lot of evidence from consultants, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, award of a blue badge, etc- I really feel the refusal was completely uncalled for in the first place. And the DWP probably know that too.

Thank you for telling me that I have a right to request the tribunal to go ahead even if the DWP request an adjournment. I will do my best to make sure things get moving asap!

Thank you so much.

I received a letter yesterday, my pip has been extended until November 2030 it was originally awarded until October 2028. My award started in October 2023 with enhanced daily living( paper assessment) and was reassessed in April 2024 by Capita and I was awarded enhanced mobility too and a longer award . I’m 56. I don’t know whether to feel happy or sad that it’s only 2 years but it’s very welcome because it means I can renew my blue badge in 2027 without worrying about being stuck in a backlog review pile . Thank you to everyone for the support this site offers.

Hi, just thought I would update.

I had a Blue Badge assessment and was awarded a badge. So I obtained the report and sent that in as evidence for mandatory reconsideration. Since a qualified person had observed and recorded my walking, I guess that was enough evidence, as I was then awarded higher rate mobility. And my award was extended until 2032!

Now we just have to wait and see what are fate is at the hands of government following this Timms Review.

I too have had a 3 year extension. Finally, common sense prevails! I am 63, with degenerative conditions, and already on the higher rates. It made absolutely no sense for me to be reassessed (it was due December 2026). That means I can get my blue badge extended now as that takes ages sometimes, and I don’t have to stress, it’s a huge relief.
I must add, I used the PIP training video on here for my assessment, I was already on the higher rates last time, but worried of course. It gave me confidence to repeat the same words and phrases to each question, to make sure the criteria were met to their liking. I would recommend that everyone considers using them.

My husband applied for higher rate mobility at his PIP review, due to complications both prior to and after total knee replacement surgery. He had a blue badge, had to buy an automatic car and a disabled parking bay after the surgery. The high rate mobility was denied so we applied to paper tribunal and it was awarded within about 8 weeks. The only piece of evidence sent was a statement from me about how his daily mobility has changed since the operation.

Hi,

I’ve looked through the Forum, but can’t find anyone asking this, so would really appreciate any help.
I’m receiving DLA (HR Care and HR Mobility) and have been since around 2006.. I have just turned 65, though I’m not due to receive my State Pension until I’m 67. I seem to recall that entitlement to DLA ends at 65, which for some is State Pension age. Please can someone tell me whether my DLA will end with me now being 65, or at 67 which is my State Pension age?

If it does end at 65, when exactly will it finish? And when will I be likely to hear from the DWP?

I’m very concerned as my DLA is the majority of my income (I do receive CB ESA Support Group / now NS ESA) and is also crucial to me receiving Council Tax Reduction and enables me to automatically qualify for my Blue Badge.

Thank you.

Bunty.

Hi salb125
If its any consolation, I've been a carer for my son for the past 10 years.
I applied for PIP about 18 months ago and got it at the lower rate, no Mobility allowance, because I have stage 3 Emphysema and Vascular Disease.
I don't know what you might get, but it's definitely worth giving it a go, and make sure you describe your worst days and how you feel, just because you're a carer doesn't mean you can't be quite sick yourself, and if you drive don't forget to apply for a blue badge.
Good luck and god bless