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Rejected Blue Badge - please help

Mark88

Hello, everyone!

 

Could someone please give me advice regarding the rejection of my blue badge application?

 

I was diagnosed with Level 1 autism. At the time of my assessment, I was not planning to apply for a Blue Badge, and nothing about my mobility was discussed. We primarily focused on my interactions with other people, so my final letter mentions nothing about mobility. The Blue Badge team stated that, based on the records, there is no information regarding mobility, and they would need a letter from a healthcare professional to verify this. My GP said she could provide such a letter, only to later realize that she is not authorized to do so.

 

  1. I found a private psychiatry clinic that said they can provide me with such a document. Does anyone know if that will be sufficient to obtain a Blue Badge? It would cost me £250, and I don’t want to waste my money. Also, can someone recommend a more affordable clinic?

 

  1. Ive asked to be reassessed, but my GP told me it is quite unusual to request another referral to Psychiatry UK. She said she would try to refer me, but I have had no news for over six months now.

 

In addition, I believe I was misdiagnosed and should be classified as Level 2 autism, as it significantly impacts my ability to work—an issue we have also not discussed. I currently work only 10-15 hours per week due to stress and anxiety, just enough to cover my basic living expenses.

 

I'm also afraid they might think I'm lying because I want to make changes now, but at the time of my assessment, I didn't even know I could be eligible for a Blue Badge. I currently have a parking space 15 minutes from my flat, but it's a torture to walk there. I can only go out late at night when it's dark and there are fewer people outside, but all businesses are closed at that time. Having a Blue Badge would be a lifesaver.

 

I would be very grateful for any additional advice. Thank you.

  • in reply to Mark88

    The criteria and process for getting a blue badge differs between UK regions.

    I think Iain is right about the ‘healthcare professional’. If they are wanting evidence of how your disability affects your ability to be outside on the street, and they are wanting this evidence from a health care provider, they likely require it from somebody who has been ‘treating’ you for a condition or ‘supporting’ you with the disability. For instance, if you have anxiety, or depression or a mental health condition, they might accept a letter from a mental health nurse, social worker, psychiatrist within the NHS, but it would probably have to be someone who has known you and treated you for these conditions for a while.

    I don’t think they are so much interested in whether or not you are autistic, it is how you are impacted that matters.

  • in reply to Mark88
    Mark88 said:
    I would really appreciate some advice what to do, and maybe explain to me what exactly a "healthcare professional" means for them?

    I suspect a healthcare professional to them means someone from the NHS. I would suggest speaking to your GP to ask for a consult with a professional to be able to give you the paperwork you need - they should ideally know what this means.

  • in reply to Mr T

    Yes, I understand that. It does affect me, my work and my ability to go outside. Please see my reply to lain. 

    Also, I applied for PIP but was rejected as well.

  • in reply to Iain

    I am self-employed and I go to work only at night. Usually I never go out of house before dark. Thats why I dont have a normal job or career. I never ever take public transportation. Its getting worse, and I work less and less, really just to cover my living expenses. Physically I can walk normally, but going outside, being seen by random people on the street and having eye contacts, accidentally touching others or waiting in lines causes me great discomfort, sweating, losing focus, stuttering if someone asks me something on the street... I dont know if thats the reason to get a blue badge. If it is I have no idea how do you prove that.

    I called the Blue Badge team again, they told me I can try providing a letter from a private clinic, but that it might not be accepted. They kept saying to provide a letter from a healthcare professional, but when i asked what kind of healthcare professional, he just told me to try with this one first. So, I would really appreciate some advice what to do, and maybe explain to me what exactly a "healthcare professional" means for them?

    Thank you.

  • I am not sure you are approaching this the correct way. Your assessment does not entitle you to a blue badge on the basis of being autistic. What you need to demonstrate is the effects your autism has on your ability to drive places. That is does your anxiety make it really difficult as you wont go anywhere without knowing where you will park etc.

    If you have claimed pip and got any mobility through that it usually allows you to apply for a blue badge.

    It is not the diagnosis but the effects it has on you.

  • Mark88 said:
    I believe I was misdiagnosed and should be classified as Level 2 autism, as it significantly impacts my ability to work

    I note that some of the criteria for a level 2 diagnosis are that the person must need substantial support - you will need to demonstrate that you have received such support before or have a demonstrable need for it now.

    I think that the fact that you are able to work without lots of support is going to work against your idea of level 2 as well.

    Mark88 said:
    The Blue Badge team stated that, based on the records, there is no information regarding mobility, and they would need a letter from a healthcare professional to verify this.

    Can you provide any evidence that you have this issue to the healthcare professional though - this will be the crux of it. A private healthcare company may not be accepted as the Blue Badge organisation probably know that these companies will often give you what you ask so long as you pay. Proof to back up the claims is likely to be asked for.

    I see there is a 28 day window for an appeal ( https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/blue-badge-scheme/if-youve-been-refused-a-blue-badge/ ) so you will need to move fast if you want to try to do all this.

    How do you get to work at the moment? Do you drive?

    I'm afraid on the info you have given so far I think you won't succeed with an appeal, but if you can build your evidence and make a future application using this new proof then you stand a better chance.