Registering as Disabled - Yellow Badge

sharmaine
sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
edited 9. Jun 2010, 05:08 in Living with Arthritis archive
I was speaking to the OT who said it would be a good idea to register as disabled then I would get VAT back on any works around the home.

Has anyone done this? Can I de-register once my knees are replaced? Whenever that will be!!!

Not quite sure what to do. Your advice would be welcome (again!).

Sharmaine

Comments

  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Sorry, I don't know anything about this. I thought registering as disabled was a thing of the past, but this must be something else.
    Love Sue
  • alicea
    alicea Member Posts: 111
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Same here never heard of this but would be very interested to know about the VAT thing as we are going to have to put a wet room in which if we can claim the VAT back would be good , all the best sandra
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine

    Not sure about work around the home but I used to have to show mine for shoes and other disability equipment don't know if you still do.

    Love
    Vonski x
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,399
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I'm registered disabled but I registered so long ago, on the advice of my OT, that I can't remember how I did it or any detail :roll:

    .............anyone here seen my memory, it appears I've lost it :shock:

    Sorry can't help. :(

    Luv Legs :lol:
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    The OT said that it would be useful as you could claim VAT back on any aids that you may buy as well as works to improve stuff around the home. She told me to call Social Services which I did and someone is going to call me back this week to give me more details.

    Just thought I would throw it out to you guys because I didn't even know such a thing existed.

    Sharmaine
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine

    Just looked at mine and I think it came through social services but the local council is mentioned too. More about social services though.

    Love
    Vonski x
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine

    I was registered disabled when I got my orange badge, which was replaced by the blue badge.

    The vat is taken off if you buy or lease a car or buy a wheelchair but I hav'nt heard of it for works around the home.

    I did get my blue badge quite a long time ago though. You should look into it.

    Would be interesting to know if they do.

    love trisher x
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I'll let you know more when they phone me back.

    It might be worthwhile doing especially if the government are planning on changing everything.... . Can't see it happening myelf - aren't the Social Services stretched already?

    Anyway, have a good day. My husband's watching the football so I'm going to read my book and then watch Big Brother. Every year I keep saying I'm not going to watch it ...but I get hooked.

    sharmaine
  • jenifur
    jenifur Member Posts: 26
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, to clear up confusion, anyone who applies for, and is granted a blue badge ir registered as disabled, if you have arthritis but not severly enough to be granted a blue badge you do not qualify for VAT back and are not allowed other help such as parking in disabled bays, and consessions.

    Everything i have ever brought from the red cross i have paid VAT free by writing down my blue badge number. i guess a similar process applies if you have things installed in your home to help you out.

    My moto: If you entitled to it HAVE IT!

    hope thats helped some, jen x
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    jenifur wrote:
    Hi, to clear up confusion, anyone who applies for, and is granted a blue badge ir registered as disabled, if you have arthritis but not severly enough to be granted a blue badge you do not qualify for VAT back and are not allowed other help such as parking in disabled bays, and consessions.

    Everything i have ever brought from the red cross i have paid VAT free by writing down my blue badge number. i guess a similar process applies if you have things installed in your home to help you out.

    My moto: If you entitled to it HAVE IT!

    hope thats helped some, jen x


    That is great info, thank you. I have a blue badge but had never thought of this and have been buying stuff out of my own pocket. Do you buy from the Red Cross online?
  • roczko
    roczko Member Posts: 92
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Jen, that's not strictly true.

    When I bought some splints for my RA I was able to buy them without VAT because I have a chronic condition, however I don't have a blue badge.

    http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000184&propertyType=document#P143_12642

    This link to HM Customs gives more info.

    Patrick
  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    roczko wrote:
    Jen, that's not strictly true.

    When I bought some splints for my RA I was able to buy them without VAT because I have a chronic condition, however I don't have a blue badge.

    http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000184&propertyType=document#P143_12642

    This link to HM Customs gives more info.

    Patrick

    Thanks Patrick.

    And to think, I work for them :oops: :oops:

    Totally different departments though.
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I too don't have a blue badge (or qualify for one!) and have bought things VAT free by signing to say that I have a CHronic condition and what that condition is.

    I have used it when purchasing an adjustable over-bed table, for adaptations that I needed around the house etc.

    most specialist shops (not supermarkets though I would have thought) would ask if you could qualify when you try to purchase something - that is how I found out about it in the first place!
  • janie68
    janie68 Member Posts: 1,186
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi wonky,

    Where did you get your adjustable bed table, sounds very useful for me, or anyone else who has one please?

    I shop VAT free too, just had to sign something to state that I had RA, every little helps!

    Janie
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi
    I'll mention about the blue badge to the OT when she calls.

    I also have a blue badge but didn't realise it ear marked me as disabled.

    Sharmaine
  • jenzie06
    jenzie06 Member Posts: 708
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I've had a blue badge for years but was not registered disabled. When I initially enquired about registering with the council I asked what I got and was told you just get put on the government list. Now I've found out that when you register you get cheaper stuff -
    VAT exemptions with disability equipment, cheaper cinema, concerts, leisure centres, reduced fishing licence (if thats your thing) and also extra points with certain housing associations.

    Don't know if thats just my council or everyone (should be everone otherwise they've set a precedent).

    Jen
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi again Sharmaine

    I'm pretty sure the blue badge only gives you parking concessions and has nothing at all to do with being registered disabled.

    Love
    Vonski x
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Vonski

    Spoke to Social Services today and apparently I'm not entitled to a yellow badge because I don't claim DLA. Thinking of applying for DLA currently on Incapacity Benefit. What they propose to do is to send someone to my home to assess me independently. I said ok.
    Waiting for another call.

    Blue badge only entitles you to parking nothing else according to them.

    I'll continue with my investigation!

    Sharmaine
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,404
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Cheers Del :)

    That WAS interesting

    Toni xx