Oh i dont have any dla…
[quote=“ssamm”] What do you mean higher rate dla? [/quote] If you get the high rate for mobility in your dla award then you quailify for a blue badge no quibbling.
Barbara.xx
In that case, ssam, it would certainly be worth applying for DLA (Disability Living Allowance) …or it may have already been superseded by PIP (Personal Independence Payment) in your area.
Whatever name it goes under in your area, it’s a benefit payment that makes life a little less stressful (financially) and - admit it - you want to fill out yet more indecipherable government application forms
Dom
if you didn’t want to apply for DLA or PIP, most councils just have someone do an assesement of your walking/mobility. the day of mine was an OK day and I told the person doing the assesment that, also that I got worse as the day went on, and she renewed my badge. still forms to fill out for the badge, and be as detailed as possible on them but less stressful then the DLA forms 
My GP appealed mine for me and I was issued it, no problems…once again, sometimes MS isn’t obvious but the right GP can fill it in for you.
Oh really, i need to go to the docs soon anyway, so i shall speak too them. Am i entitled to DLA? I mean, it would help on the vits i spend out on, prescriptions, and ankle supports for when i get drop foot!
wouldn’t hurt to apply for it, get help with the forms tho and even if you are turned down you can appeal. its there to help with the things you mentioned
And just watch out for the odd sneaky question.
There is one toward the end about which nearby landmark you can walk to - and your answer better match what you said in reply to an earlier question.
Ideally, get the form online (or copy it) and fill the thing in in pencil to make sure you get all your answers right. Then keep the form to remind you when you do it all again in three years time.
Geoff
I got my blue badge through my Local Authority before I applied for DLA. It was quite a simple process (fill in the form then go for an assesment / interview and then wait for the decision)
I did learn a couple of things going through the process though:
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Unlike if you have been awarded higher rate mobility DLA /PIP - when the entitlement is automatic - each Local Authority can (and does!) have different criteria for people who apply directly to them without being in receipt of an award of Mobility benefit. So, just because I had a quite straightforward time with my Council (Croydon at that time) it doesn’t mean that other people have as easy a time with theirs. (For example, each of the London Boroughs is different so a matter of a few yards might make a difference to whether you get it or not)
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Although there is an on-line application on the YouGov website, not every authority is geared up to accept appliations that way! I spent s long time doing my online application, only to have Croydon simply acknowledge it and send me a paper copy to fill in! (It was a good thing that I had printed my online application out, otherwise I would have wasted a lot of time starting from scratch!
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Remember to be THOROUGH and COMPREHENSIVE in your answers. You do not have to be confined by the space on the form. If you need to say more THEN SAY IT! Use a separate sheet of paper if you need to. (The same goes for DLA forms and, I would imagine, PIP forms too. Heaven forbid that there is a delibarate ploy to cut down on what evidence you can put forward!)
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If you have reports from you Neuro or MS Nurse or any other professional dealing with your MS then copy them and include them with your application.
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If you have trouble communicating with strangers or putting your point accross then take a friend with you. I am a professional advocate but, at the time of my appointment, I was having problems with speaking, word-finding and memory (still do!) My husband came with me and he was invaluable because he was able to prompt me to fill in any obvious gaps when I was being asked to talk about problems. It at least stops you from leaving the room and having a “D’oh!!!” moment when you realise thsat you have forgotten something.
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The final thing I learned was … IF YOU NEED IT, MAKE SURE THAT YOU APPLY
My Blue Badge has been an absolute godsend and my only regret is that I didn’t apply earlier. I had needed it then but my stupid pride and stubborness prevented me from applying. Funnily enough, I was sorting some papers out this morning and I came across the application I eventually made to Croydon. I remember feeling embarrased about having to apply for the badge at all - how stupid I was. Every word was true then and the only difference now is that my walking is somewhat worse.
Good luck with your application. Fingers crossed you will get it.
Yours was to croydon? Guess mines to merton! Not far between us! thank you for that advice, when i have a day off, ill give it a good look over
I must admit, that my blue badge is fantastic because, sometimes, we do complain that there aren’t enough disabled spaces, which can be the case, but sometimes there can be 2 or 3 spaces when there is no where else to park and I never would have parked in them without a blue badge.
Most days i wouldnt need it, but my drop foot is the worst, breaking/spraining my ankles is becoming a big habit, to add, they have got weaker, so less walking, more chance of keeping my ankles intact, and jeans holeless!
Hi, l got my blue badge no problem before l knew l had MS as my walking was so slow and painfull l put it down to a bad fall l had had in 2000 which split my knee to the bone. Then 9 years later told it was Ms. So go ask for one in the end they can only say yes or no. good luck. Regards Jan