Help please for an Old Hero

Started by Cassandra, February 28, 2023, 08:30:58 PM

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Cassandra

Just received an email from my old cricketing mate in England, who's coming to live here definitely in April some time, which is really great news.

He's asked for help for one of our old friends, who was a famous Pilot in the 'Falklands War' where he was badly injured following a heavy crash landing onto a carrier, after suffering severe triple A damage. I believe also he has a 'gong' to boot. Later he became a test pilot for many great British military jets. He is a proud distinguished and very brave man.

He learned a few days ago that his Blue Badge 'parking shield' renewal - the 5th one, will from hereon have to be treated as a completely 'Fresh Application' (as against re-issue of existing), as this heartless and insensate government had changed the rules pertaining to renewal last year.

He's received Attendance Allowance 'Higher level' benefit for 16 years now, But 'Boris' the driver hater, changed the legislation to preclude people of this classification last year from automatic renewal. All very snugly done - He'd never heard anything about it. Only Disability Living Allowance upper level classification is currently recognised.

You'd think that at 80 and now walking with great difficulty the deal should have been, 're-new existing badge holders like this on past criteria'; but make new applicants go through the rigours of two people watching you walk, indeed as he had to 18 years ago.

I was asked for help via opinion, but can do a lot better than that. Politicians hate negative press or TV exposure and the subject of this cretinous treatment to a former war hero, will I'll make sure of it make National News. His County Council (who I understand issue these passes) are very much with him. However they are unable to confirm he will get further issue!

A letter from a Consultant via the NHS and used in his original issue of said Blue Badge states from 2007, 16 years ago states

"His left hip does have moderate osteo arthritis and there was moderate tenderness over the left sacroiliac joint." "Radiographs however confirmed severe degenerative change in his lower lumbar spine".

I think he's a kind man who gets on with his local authority and may be reluctant to shout out about this predicament. Indeed they might issue to him a new pass in the next few days. So I reasoned best to hold back to see whats might come forward, before loosing the hounds on what might prove to be an ally in the shadows? Simply put I don't know how far the L/A remit can go and might therefore, emnify a useful asset.

He's taking it very badly, believing it just an excuse to get him off the road and to shut him down as a driver? Also his wife of 60 years and carer, died a few months ago and his car is now vital for shopping and keeps him in touch. He additionally makes many calls to hospitals etc, where his charity work is helping deprived ex servicemen. With Citizen Khan's latest ULEZ charges he needs this Blue Badge shield to be continue work that is so important to those he inspires let alone him feeling he's still useful.

Can anyone here please help me with any advice or similar experiences, were you aware of these changes, will it affect you in the future?
My little Dog - A heartbeat at my feet ...

Alex

That's very sad Cass, especially losing his wife recently.  I know nothing about Blue Badges, but hopefully someone on here will.  :upvote:

Jacqueline

Hi Cass,

This is the Age UK advice re Blue Badges and eligibility.
 
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/blue-badge/

From what you say this chap should be eligible for his Badge.  In my previous working life I did the admin for the Blue Badges, but it's all changed now so I don't feel able to give advice on the new way of doing things.  They do not automatically renew badges now you have to fill in your form with all of your medical details every three years, I had to to this last time to renew my own.  Do tell your friend that he would be well advised to contact Age UK for help when needing to fill in the forms like Attendance Allowance or his Blue Badge. they help people fill in these forms and know how to word them correctly.  Age UK are really helpful and give good advice.  All the best of luck to him.    Jac

GrannyMac

Really good advice Jac, Age UK can help us oldies with all sorts of things.  
Its not how old you are, but how you are old. 💖

Cassandra

Quote from: Jacqueline on February 28, 2023, 09:48:34 PMHi Cass,

This is the Age UK advice re Blue Badges and eligibility.
 
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/blue-badge/

From what you say this chap should be eligible for his Badge.  In my previous working life I did the admin for the Blue Badges, but it's all changed now so I don't feel able to give advice on the new way of doing things.  They do not automatically renew badges now you have to fill in your form with all of your medical details every three years, I had to to this last time to renew my own.  Do tell your friend that he would be well advised to contact Age UK for help when needing to fill in the forms like Attendance Allowance or his Blue Badge. they help people fill in these forms and know how to word them correctly.  Age UK are really helpful and give good advice.  All the best of luck to him.    Jac


Jac, thanks so much. I spoke with him an hour or so ago and I'm delighted to say, he's also accepted an invite to join me here when my other friend returns for good on April the 16th. He told me the young lady at the Council was very, very kind and said the reasoning for the changes, was to ensure that people like him who deserve help get it and not the spurious applications they receive with false photo's etc from the 'ungodly'. So why not explain that before frightening an old man with the ministry of misery written dogma!

Having spent a lifetime rubbing shoulders with psycho's and con-men I suppose I accept such people exist. To a fine upstanding man, who was decorated by the Queen, he probably can't comprehend this and believed they were changing the rules to get him? As if those nice politicians would ever do that? I think the person from the Blue Badge dept at the Council, as good as old him 'don't' worry' but of course in today's rubbish woke world she can't extend him an 'unofficial and re-assuring piece of human kindness'. She did say they can grant the badge after the consideration of all his submittals, even taking in the change of automatic selection criteria v's DLA being the now accepted minimum - not Attendance Allowance. Then reading your attachment I'd say even after unreasoned Govt double speak terminology that I'd say that was the case and many thanks - much appreciated. I thought I might ring AgeUK tomorrow when the times gaps suitable and just pose the question.

He did add how uplifted he felt when he received my pal's call inviting him here to Michigan for as long as he likes in the Spring and assured me he's definitely coming. Also I can't wait to hear him talking to my 'Wolfhound' springing relative on aircraft, (Harriers v A10 Warthogs). The USAF he told me, bought up all our Harriers (his plane) for about $5k each, as scrap. Re-winged them with longer versions and they are still in active service proving very useful!

Another astute and clever bit of wheeler dealing by our wonderful stay at home uncivil servants!
My little Dog - A heartbeat at my feet ...

Scrumpy


Cassandra.. You must have something very special that people want to join you..
You can start up and  Old Boys Club..  and talk of cricket.. planes.. dogs.. 
You can have mock air fights...   It all sounds wonderful...
Don't ask me.. I know nuffink..

Jacqueline

So glad to hear that the Council lady was so helpful and explained things to him and he should have no trouble getting his new Blue Badge. Please remind him any problems at all contact Age UK who I have found so helpful

Regarding my days issuing Blue Badges, we did get a lot of applications for people who really were not disabled enough to qualify for a badge trying it on.  In my days it was down to information from the GP and then an Occupational Therapist looked at the GP report and made a decision.  Often though if refused, the pushy ones would  have a go at their GP and I suppose for a peaceful life he would recommend that they have one.  The rules did need tightening up.  Under the rules though, if your had the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance you did automatically get a Blue Badge, it has never extended to Attendance Allowance as there  is no Mobility Component, you have to apply and have your disability assessed. 

So pleased to hear Cass that your lovely friend will be visiting you in your amazing home, hope you all have a great time, Scrumpy paints a wonderful picture of you chaps together.   Jac

Cassandra

#7
Jac, thank you so much, I tried contacting Age UK but after three referrals and the last one waiting in excess of 52 mins I couldn't wait any longer, also poor souls must be rushed off their feet just now. Eventually I contacted my old friends MP's office and got a very helpful young lady research assistant.

She rung me back and explained exactly and as unambiguously as you have said. Namely that 'AA' never had a mobility content so never applied for decisional reference anyway. The confusion is with DLA disappearing this past two years and morphing to PIP? When I read her the response to his renewal application she said "it could have been worded better and more specifically, but it does mean it's in the system which is not at first clear".

So I contacted his council and we talked therefore completely 'generally'. This too was with another delightful and considerate lady. She assured me, "Actually we have many elderly drivers who receive AA, but have circumstances that are medically proven and supportive for the Blue Badge scheme."

"Although AA does not apply for 'automatic inclusion' as a replacement issue, the claimants overall history about mobility certainly does. Consequently we have many applicants whom we know and can substantiate as 'real and deserving' cases for help".

In other words amazingly in this busted world, common sense and individual appreciation as overarching constituents do still exist.

I cannot contact my friend yet to tell him and I want to do it by zoom, but when I do I will assure him I really feel he has nothing to worry about.

Thank you again for those few words that were so conclusive viz:

"if your friend had the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, you did automatically get a Blue Badge, it has never extended to Attendance Allowance as there  is no Mobility Component, you have to apply and have your disability assessed."

So it appears that my friend's Badges have all the time received favourable issues, solely upon the basis of this L.A. dept's decisional wisdom!

I also got the distinct impression she knew who my pal was. After all there are not too many DFC. CBE's alive today ...

Again my thanks,

March 02, 2023, 02:41:44 PM
Quote from: Scrumpy on March 01, 2023, 08:45:36 AMCassandra.. You must have something very special that people want to join you..
You can start up and  Old Boys Club..  and talk of cricket.. planes.. dogs..
You can have mock air fights...   It all sounds wonderful...

Believe it or not 'Blue Badge' man is I am told at nearly 80 with no ties or relatives also considering permanent re-location. He's even contacted an old USAF Colonel from Florida who would be delighted to support his application for residency!

A few more and we can launch a five a side cricket team! :smiley:
My little Dog - A heartbeat at my feet ...

Cassandra

Over here their called 'Disability Placards' and last four years.

Tillie, applied for mine at the Town Hall and it arrived a week later
My little Dog - A heartbeat at my feet ...

GrannyMac

Great news that he got some help, and fantastic thinking of relocating!

There is an issue IMO with regards to DLA, PIP and AA. someone who develops a medical condition and is awarded DLA or PIP a few months before they reach state pension age can of course qualify for the mobility element.

Those of us whose mobility is compromised later in life are treated differently with regards to benefits. I'm asking is this fair? I'm comparing myself to an old colleague of my age who has claimed DLA because of arthritis since her 50s. I bumped into her last week.  My mobility is currently worse than hers, but I can't claim the same benefits, in fact I don't think I'd qualify for AA because I don't need the kind of help that they specify. I've not looked into it any any great detail, its what I've heard from others, but the application forms are substantially different. 
Its not how old you are, but how you are old. 💖

Cassandra

Quote from: GrannyMac on March 02, 2023, 06:10:59 PMGreat news that he got some help, and fantastic thinking of relocating!

There is an issue IMO with regards to DLA, PIP and AA. someone who develops a medical condition and is awarded DLA or PIP a few months before they reach state pension age can of course qualify for the mobility element.

Those of us whose mobility is compromised later in life are treated differently with regards to benefits. I'm asking is this fair? I'm comparing myself to an old colleague of my age who has claimed DLA because of arthritis since her 50s. I bumped into her last week.  My mobility is currently worse than hers, but I can't claim the same benefits, in fact I don't think I'd qualify for AA because I don't need the kind of help that they specify. I've not looked into it any any great detail, its what I've heard from others, but the application forms are substantially different.

Looking at my friends renewal application, they have now amalgamated all classifications of applications into one form.Its a bit confusing at first but after downloading it and reading it through a few times I got the hang of it. I think he became confused by their acknowledgement which reads:

'Good afternoon',
We do not accept attendance allowance as part of our criteria. It is the Higher rate Mobility component (DLA) that is mentioned on our application. If you would like us to check your application has been successfully submitted, please provide our team with you reference number and/or address.

Many thanks.
Kind Regards
Blue Badge Team
Customer Transactional Services


Ray, my friend thought he automatically qualified for re-newal as he receives 'Attendance Allowance' and had conflated this mistake to thinking HMG were after axing him. I've spoken with him this afternoon and when I told him, he'd never qualified over now 4 badges by receiving AA but through his injuries he went quiet and said. "I'm an old idiot of course they're right aren't they?".

I've advised him apply for a PIP allowance, he would get about £140 more a month for a start, plus I'm sure the mobility content as his spine is inoperable. But he's nervous they'd take away his existing AA and his wife receives Carer's Allowance too. Very sad how this Government has scared elderly people into this way of thinking.

Personally I'd love them to knock him back, DFC, CBE and all. I'd fly back to take that brief anytime! But I think his profile would be too much even for them to take on. I got the opinion the local authority were very much 'on-side' and like me very unimpressed with the Westminster biddy's who are creating dissention and mis-trust with the elderly, many of whom are, or at least were core Tory voters.

I'm on board now so I'll research how it all works just in case I have to take up cudgels. Sadly he has also passed his medals to a specialist auctioneers to sell as he needs the money! DFC's are very popular apparently, not many of them to the pound anymore!

Over and out for now ...
My little Dog - A heartbeat at my feet ...

Jacqueline

#11
Cass,
Sorry to hear you had difficulty getting through to Age UK, they really must be up against it as so many people need help, if you do manage to get through to them they are really helpful, can't praise them enough.

These benefits and who qualifies for what are a minefield, you mentioned PIP's but I am pretty sure you need to be under state pension age to get this, do check  I could be wrong. If his wife is over pension age she won't get the Carers Allowance either, my sister in law lost hers when she received her pension. Is his wife in is good or bad health? maybe try for AA for her as well if she isn't. 

There is Pension Credit but that is means tested, depends on your income, there is an online Gov. checker where you can input your income and it will tell you if you qualify. Apparently thousands of us oldies miss out on this as we don't think we will get it and don't apply, worth trying.

GrannyMac
You might just as well try for Attendance Allowance, but you will need to help of someone from AGE UK to help you with the form as they know the right way to answer these things, if there are things you can't do without some sort of help you could well qualify.   Husband got it but not until he got help with the form, friend's husband a cancer suffer was turned down until Macmillian helped him with his form.

Too many old people miss out on the help they need because it is so damned difficult to know what you are entitled to claim for and fill in the forms.

Good luck with your applications.   Jac   

Michael Rolls

I could never understand why I could not get Carer's Allowance for looking after Veronica because I was in receipt of the state pension. Had I been under age for the state pension I would have received it, but then lost it once I qualified for the state pension. Seems grossly unfair to me - OK, I am well enough off not to be financially embarrassed by not receiving it, but I just don't understand the logic - if there is any.
Thank you for the days, the days you gave me
[email protected]

Jacqueline

Quote from: Michael Rolls on March 02, 2023, 09:56:12 PMI could never understand why I could not get Carer's Allowance for looking after Veronica because I was in receipt of the state pension. Had I been under age for the state pension I would have received it, but then lost it once I qualified for the state pension. Seems grossly unfair to me - OK, I am well enough off not to be financially embarrassed by not receiving it, but I just don't understand the logic - if there is any.
It's not fair at all.  When you get beyond pension age it is harder to care for somebody you don't have the energy of a younger person.  My sister in law lost her carers allowance which she had for looking after her disabled son of 52 which she had been doing all his life, she is now a widow and doing it all alone. 

Raven

Same with my Weapons Grade Sister, she gave up her job to look after her bed bound husband. As soon as she turned 60 it was whipped away from her. It was replaced by her state pension.