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Message started by Michael on Feb 2nd, 2010 at 4:39pm

Title: BLUE BADGE
Post by Michael on Feb 2nd, 2010 at 4:39pm
Has anyone had any experience of obtaining/renewing a British version of a 'blue badge' (disabled parking permit) out here?  I went into the Town Hall here in Tortosa today on my mother's behalf and all seemed fine until the need for a form that seems to be something to do with demonstration of necessity was raised.  An appointment in Amposta with a delay of a year before anything that seems like a result was mentioned.  Even this lot of pen pushers can't be that bloody minded when it comes to helping the needy can they???  Any clues?
Mike

Title: Re: BLUE BADGE
Post by Michael on Feb 3rd, 2010 at 7:03pm
And a cost was hinted at but nobody seemed certain!

Title: Re: BLUE BADGE
Post by Dusty on Feb 6th, 2010 at 11:20am
A close friend went through the process of applying here. Paperwork sent to Amposta and he had to attend a medical there - this stage took nearly a year! By the time his appointment came round it was just over a year since first application and Amposta then turned round a said his paperwork was out of date and he should start again! However, he got a medical and with some help from the medical specialists he was involved with the application was pushed through. He was assessed as 69% in need (pretty serious level) but the pass rate is 70% so he did not qualify! However it was pointed out that the blue badge is part of a total package of care (including home care etc) which is why it is more than extremely difficult to get through the process, they do not issue blue badges on their own. Suggested to friend he goes to a pub in England and buy one 'over the counter'.

Title: Re: BLUE BADGE
Post by Tony on Feb 7th, 2010 at 9:32am
Hi Dusty.  I am sure that there is something wrong here.  My wife is also disabled and had to go through the long wait for an interview and was informed that when she heard from the authorities with her assessment that she was to go and see the Social Services assistant at our local ajuntament.  The paperwork duly arrived and she was given a 40% disablement assessment and we then went up to see the assistant.  She explained that although we were not entitled to any financial or home care help (for which we had not applied) that she could arrange for a blue badge and that we were to go back up and see her two weeks later.  This we did and the badge was issued and, on production of our vehicle's papers she got the ajuntament to issue a letter to take to BASE when the tax on the car was next due which entitled my wife's car to be free of duty.

Perhaps your friend should go back to see the Social Services assistant.

Title: Re: BLUE BADGE
Post by Dusty on Feb 7th, 2010 at 11:06am
Thank you for that update, and yes I will pass the information on. I have to say this is not the first time we find when people go through the same processes they come out with staggeringly different outcomes! I do try to love this country but sometimes 'tis very difficult!....

Title: Re: BLUE BADGE
Post by Michael on Feb 8th, 2010 at 8:24am
Thanks for the additional information.  Am I correct in saying that where your experiences co-incide it is the long wait for a trip to Amposta for assessment and 'percentage need' certification?  Thereafter, certificate in hand, you can go to other agencies armed with the proof of need and they will then render such assistance as they are inclined to subject to relevant things like how good yesterday's paella was or did Barcelona beat Real Madrid or other such random factors.  Was the assessment means tested in any way?

Tnaks
Mike

Title: Re: BLUE BADGE
Post by Tony on Feb 9th, 2010 at 5:52pm
Yes Mike - I think that you have it right.

We went up to see our Social Services Assistant today as we have had a change of car and they have now written to Tarragona to inform them of this so that the tax-free qualification can be changed over to the new vehicle.
She also got my wife to fill out another form so that she can be issued with a card as proof of disability and so be entitled to other concessions, including discounts on the purchase of a brand new car if we ever want one.

So all you persons with disabilities who are out there make sure that you contact your local Social Services Assistant in order to claim your entitlements.

Title: Re: BLUE BADGE
Post by fatphil on Feb 10th, 2010 at 12:35pm
I can sympathise with you and the problems you have encountered when trying to obtain a Blue Badge.
My personnel opinion when dealing with the Catalan authorities over the past years is if they can make things more complicated and long winded they will.
Some even seem to take pride in being rude and obnoxious,a recent example being a Council official we had to pay.
When he realised the transaction was a little complicated, he got up from the desk, turned his back to use and walked away,as if our time was up !
Imagine the outcry there would be if a Mongolian asylum seeker received the same treatment when applying at a British town hall.

Title: Re: BLUE BADGE
Post by Bulldog on Jun 8th, 2016 at 2:33pm
Hi Bunter can only tell you what happened to us and hope this helps.
My wife has been in a wheelchair for a number of years and when our UK badge expired we went to the Social Services and was told to go to our GP to get Spanish medical evidence. The doctor gave us a letter straight away, which we then took to the S.S who made us an appointment at Jesus Hospital which took a couple of months, upon the doctor seeing my wife she sent a form back to our local S.S who gave us the Blue Badge a few weeks later. My wife's hospital doctors were also willing to write the medical evidence if we required it.

At the hospital I normally block the road near to the ramp take the wife up into the hospital, ignoring any horns then come back and go and park the car, as she refuses to sit outside with a sign I have written stating a husband, several dogs and cats to feed please give generously.
Yours a Hospital veteran visitor Bulldog.   

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