‘Discriminatory’ PIP guidance means thousands could lose blue badges

Last Updated: June 4, 2016By

160604 Disabled Badge Holders Only sign

Disabled people whose mobility is affected by mental health conditions or autism are having their blue parking badges snatched away by local councils in England as a result of the introduction of the government’s new disability benefit.

Government guidance issued after the introduction of personal independence payment (PIP) advises councils how to deal with blue badge applications from disabled people who formerly claimed disability living allowance (DLA) but have now been reassessed for PIP.

Because of this guidance, disabled people who have had a blue badge for many years are now being told they no longer qualify for a blue badge, simply because they have moved from DLA to PIP.

Source: ‘Discriminatory’ PIP guidance means thousands could lose blue badges

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14 Comments

  1. joanna June 4, 2016 at 12:49 pm - Reply

    If someone is physically able, why should they have a blue badge, if a mental condition only, means that person can’t walk then they should not be driving. A blue badge should only be for physical disablement, I thought that was what they were for.

    • Mike Sivier June 4, 2016 at 1:07 pm - Reply

      Would any of This Blog’s mentally ill readers care to answer this?

      • wildswimmerpete June 4, 2016 at 6:14 pm - Reply

        @Mike
        Some mental conditions, which includes severe depression and “autistic spectrum” disorders (ie Aspergers”, can mean DVLA could withdraw driving licences until the condition improves.
        https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/m1-online-confidential-medical-information

      • Maria June 7, 2016 at 4:45 pm - Reply

        since I do not have these conditions, or know anyone who experiences such types of problems, how can I judge, its up to a doctor to decide these things, they have the experience, not those so called medical professional that preside over PIP assessments. But usually in life things are not always so black and white.

    • John June 4, 2016 at 2:29 pm - Reply

      I don’t know what criteria there is towards someone with a mental disability (I guess it depends on the TYPE of mental issues they have), but I’d imagine there’s also complicated criteria applied towards someone with a physical disability. You’ve got to remember Joanna, that you might have someone that CAN walk, but not very far before they start experiencing problems, therefore potentially requiring such a badge.

    • Matthew June 5, 2016 at 1:35 pm - Reply

      As someone with an ASD, when I see things like this it very much paraphrases itself in my mind as: “Only people with physical disabilities that I can see with my own eyes should get a blue badge”.

      Would it make it easier for you to live with my disability if I hung my head to the side and dribbled all over myself? After all, this isn’t about helping people with disabilities lead dignified and functional lives in a free society that supports all people, and is instead about making it easier for you.

      That’s all I have to say about it.

  2. jeffrey davies June 4, 2016 at 2:02 pm - Reply

    hmmm just part of their aktion t4 program joanna – not nice pointing to others who have this badge we are doing the gestapo’s work for them. it’s hard to get a blue badge and if they got it then it’s needed but ask this, whot about those who lose it through this nasty government’s rules change

  3. Christina Cramsie June 4, 2016 at 3:20 pm - Reply

    What about those with mental health problems that have someone with them because they cannot drive?

    • John June 4, 2016 at 4:57 pm - Reply

      Mental health problems or not, unless the rules have changed, the badge is allowed to be used by a ‘guardian’ who might be for example, going to pick someone up who uses a disabled badge.

  4. Thomas June 4, 2016 at 7:31 pm - Reply

    This government hates the disabled.

  5. Brian June 4, 2016 at 9:01 pm - Reply

    As far as our Tories are concerned, one size fits all.

    Mental impairment, blue badges are necessary in cases where sever impairment can result in mobility issues, injury, behavior problems and public ridicule. Guardians are frequently required to transport disabled people, if they can not park conveniently many would not, or be able to do it, depriving those disabled of freedom of movement. Imagine a group of severely mentally disabled people being asked to follow pedestrian requirements in a busy area, or on public transport! It’s the Nasty party at work again.

  6. mohandeer June 5, 2016 at 3:42 am - Reply

    As a disabled person who has a neurological problem I am quite cognisant with the Highway Code, a competent driver and reliably insurable. My problems, however, do mean that a car allows me to perform routine activities which without the car, I would not be able to do. Anyone who believes otherwise is ignorant of the various problems disabled people must face which include neurological disorders that do not mean that they are mentally disabled or “retarded” as sometimes referred to. It is very wrong to conflate the notion of neurological disorders with stupidity or incompetence, which is more applicable to the people who think like that.

  7. Matthew June 5, 2016 at 1:45 pm - Reply

    The entire disability benefit system is discriminatory in this country. It’s a binary system; either you’re too disabled, or you’re not disabled enough. If you’re too disabled, they compel you to give up. If you’re not disabled enough, the pressure you and you cave.

    I suffer from suicidal ideation ( and planning, and have tried in the past ) as a secondary component of an ASD; when this was pointed out to the DWP, the stance seemed to be “well, why aren’t you dead then?”

    The more this sort of thing continues, the more we – those with invisible diseases and disorders – become marginalises, pushed to the fringes of society, where our suffering is unseen. Yes, things aren’t as bad as they could be, but if we settle for a regressive system now, we will get an even more regressive system in 5 years time.

    People killing themselves isn’t enough, apparently, to trigger change. And until this Tory shower is out of 10 Downing Street, it’s just going to get worse, and worse, and worse.

  8. mrmarcpc June 7, 2016 at 1:15 pm - Reply

    The tories are loving all of the pain and suffering they’re causing the British people, they can’t get enough!

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