Following my last blog post, today I received a phone call from Sandwell Council. They apologised for how long the application for my Blue Badge had taken but in relation to requesting all of my PIP information, they said they were only following Department of Transport procedure.  I dispute this for two reasons.

Firstly, when I initially completed my application online, I was only asked to attach the mobility section of my PIP award. It was only when my application went through to Sandwell Council, that I was told I had to supply all sections.

Secondly, guidance found on the www.gov.uk today, states that: “People who may be issued with a badge without further assessment are those who are more than two years old and fall within one or more of the following descriptions:

  • receives the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)
  • receives the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and has obtained 8 points or more under the “moving around” activity

The above applies to me and therefore there is absolutely no need for me to provide the entire PIP Award – the mobility element is the only relevant part.

The lady who phoned me was adamant they require all sections which includes personal information about my ability to dress and use the bathroom independently among other things which is totally irrelevant to my entitlement for a Blue Badge. I would therefore invite the Council to justify their reasons for requesting this and put this in writing to me.

They may also wish to formally acknowledge the complaint I made last week.

Please follow this link for the information quoted above.