× Members

Independent mobility assessment for Blue Badge Hol

More
11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 8 months ago #88787 by chipbutty
Hi all,
If this posting is incorrect please advise me on where or how to post correctly.

" I have just received a letter from my local Council (Devon) regarding a charge of £10 for all Blue Badge Holders from 2nd July 2012. That's fine but in the letter they say this and I quote " Following the Department for Transport's changes we now need to ask some customers to attend an independent Mobility Assessment. "
I have just phoned the Dept. for Transport for their response and have been told that Councils have freedom to charge between £2 to £10 max. They cannot confirm anything about an independent assessment. Could anyone enlighten me and other concerned Badge Holders thay an assessment is Not compulsory.
I understand that by Law (at the moment) onle people in receipt of High Rate Mobility DLA are not required any further assessment. "
I feel this is another backdoor attempt to put disabled people through a stressful experience in order to take away a disabled persons rights.

Many thanks
Chipbutty
Last edit: 11 years 8 months ago by Gordon.
The topic has been locked.
More
11 years 8 months ago #88792 by Gordon
CB

Changes to the Blue Badge scheme were introduced at the beginning of the year, these increased the fee payable and required local authorities to assess claimants who did not automatically qualify by receiving DLA HRM.

In the majority of cases this assessment, may involve no more than your Local Authority contacting your GP for confirmation of you disabilities.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The topic has been locked.
More
11 years 8 months ago #88793 by chipbutty
Thanks for such a speedy reply.
I have since spoken again with the Dept. for Transport and they gave me the legal requirement reference which is "Disabled Persons Badges fees for Motor ehicles England (Ammendment No.21)Reg. (21) (6d).

What is of concern is that my local authority are not just going to write to my GP but involve an organisation called FUSION a so called Charity....!

Forgive my cynism..but I think it is an outrage to spend tax payers money in this respect.

Cheers again.
Chipbutty.
P.S Thanks for posting.
The topic has been locked.
  • Jim Allison BSc, Inst LE, MBIM; MA (Consumer Protection & Social Welfare Law)
  • Offline
More
11 years 8 months ago #88804 by Jim Allison BSc, Inst LE, MBIM; MA (Consumer Protection & Social Welfare Law)
Replied by Jim Allison BSc, Inst LE, MBIM; MA (Consumer Protection & Social Welfare Law) on topic Re:Independent mobility assessment for Blue Badge Hol
Hi CB,

Although strictly speaking Blue Badges (BB) are not within the remit of the forum, I'm pleased Gordon replied to you in his usual swift manner with a good answer.

I submitted a news item on BB for Benefits News earlier today, but only Steve Donnison the site owner can approve items submitted for Benefits News not moderators.

Thank you for contacting the Dept of Transport for the latest legislation, I'll ask Steve to include
it in Benefits News.

The problem with the issue of BBs in the UK is that different local authorities have no common policy on this, it's done purely on an 'ad hoc' basis. It should the same wherever you live. Perhaps the pending review of BB will address this HERE

FWIW My local authority charged me £2.00 for my last BB in July 2011. It's due for renewal in August 2013. If they charge me £10, I don't realy mind as it was £2.00 when I got my first BB and that was way back in 1986.

Being able to park for up to 3 hours on yellow lines, most council car parks etc. 24/7 is something I couldn't manage without and if I'm charged £10.00 on renewal, it works out at less than 20 pence per week. !

Kind regards,

Jim

PLEASE READ THE SPOTLIGHTS AREA OF THE FORUM REGULARLY, OTHERWISE YOU MAY MISS OUT ON IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The topic has been locked.
  • Karlo
11 years 8 months ago - 11 years 8 months ago #88810 by Karlo
CB you state " Following the Department for Transport's changes we now need to ask some customers to attend an independent Mobility Assessment. "

I think the main point is it states "some customers" not all but "some" As we all know many people can at the moment qualify for a blue badge not just those on the higher rate of DLA! I'd hope that the "some" it refers too aren't people on HRM but others.
Last edit: 11 years 8 months ago by slugsta.
The topic has been locked.
  • Jim Allison BSc, Inst LE, MBIM; MA (Consumer Protection & Social Welfare Law)
  • Offline
More
11 years 8 months ago #88813 by Jim Allison BSc, Inst LE, MBIM; MA (Consumer Protection & Social Welfare Law)
Replied by Jim Allison BSc, Inst LE, MBIM; MA (Consumer Protection & Social Welfare Law) on topic Re:Independent mobility assessment for Blue Badge Hol
Hi Kario

As I've mentioned in my previous post the issue of Blue Badges is beyond the remit of the forum and it's moderators.

From FAQ : As Moderators our area of expertise is in relation to disability living allowance, attendance allowance, the personal capability assessment used in connection with incapacity benefits and the work capability assessment used in connection with employment and support allowance. So those are the only subjects on which we can provide reliable information.

Gordon and I have allowed this thread and provided definitive advice, but we cannot add anything more of substance.

Consequently, I am locking this thread.

Regards.

Jim
pp Moderating Team.

PLEASE READ THE SPOTLIGHTS AREA OF THE FORUM REGULARLY, OTHERWISE YOU MAY MISS OUT ON IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The topic has been locked.
Moderators: GordonGaryBISCatherineWendyKellygreekqueenpeterKatherineSuper UserjimmckChris
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.