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Blue Badge

Some adults and children with a disability/medical condition qualify for a Blue Badge. A Blue Badge allows you to park close to where you need to go, such as in disabled parking spaces.

What is the Blue Badge?

someone holding open their blue badge to show details

Blue Badge permit holders can park closer to their destination, for example in designated parking spaces.

The Blue Badge is linked to the person rather than a particular vehicle. This means you can use the Blue Badge in any car the badge holder is passenger or driver.

Blue Badge holders can also ask for a disabled parking space near their home. Usually this would be free, but local councils can have different rules about how can apply for one.

Although the scheme applies throughout the UK, the rules about who qualifies are different in each of the nations. You need to apply by contacting your local authority, and there may be a small administrative charge.

Who can get a Blue Badge?

You’re automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you:

  • are registered as blind
  • get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – check your decision letter if you’re not sure
  • get War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement 
  • received a lump sum payment as part of the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8), and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability

If you get Personal Independence Payments (PIP)

You’re automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you either:

  • scored 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your PIP assessment
  • scored 10 points in the ‘planning and following journeys’ area of your PIP assessment and were put in category ‘E’ – this means your stress, anxiety or other mental health issue stops you leaving the house

Check your PIP decision letter if you’re not sure.

If you’re not automatically eligible

You can still get a badge if:

  • you have long term problems walking or going to places – including problems caused by stress, anxiety or other mental health issues
  • you have severe problems using both your arms
  • you’re applying on behalf of a child aged over 2 who has problems walking or going to places, or a child under 3 who needs to be close to a vehicle because of a health condition 

How do I apply for a Blue Badge?

Whether you or your child qualifies automatically, or yo go down the assessed route, you can apply for a Blue Badge here.

A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland. It’s free in Wales.

They usually last up to 3 years.

You must reapply for a Blue Badge before your current one expires.

Documents you need 

Before you apply, make sure you have:

  • your National Insurance number or child reference number if you’re applying for a child
  • the number, expiry date and local council on your current blue badge, if you have one 

You’ll also need:

  • your original decision letter from the Department of Work and Pensions – if you’re automatically eligible for a badge
  • details of your medical condition – if you’re not automatically eligible for a badge
  • proof of identification – for example, a birth or marriage certificate, passport or driving licence
  • proof of your address from the last 12 months – for example, a council tax bill, driving licence or letter from a government department
  • a recent digital photograph of the person the badge is for – this can be from your own device or from a photo booth or shop.

What happens after you’ve applied

It could take a long time for your application to be processed. You should contact your council if you haven’t heard back within 6-8 weeks.

You might be asked to do a mobility assessment. A health professional will look at your ability to carry out a range of mobility activities. They’ll tell your council whether they think your health condition or disability limits your ability to move around enough for you to need a badge. 

You also might be asked to send in extra information or speak to a member of the council. 

Your council will tell you in writing if this is the case.

If you’re refused a Blue Badge, you can ask your council to reconsider their decision. The decision letter from the council will tell you how to ask for a review and what the time limit is.

If your application is refused

Your council should tell you why you’re not eligible for a Blue Badge.

You can ask them to reconsider your case if you do not think all the important information you provided was taken into account.

You can also reapply if your mobility problems become more serious.

We are more than happy to supply you with a letter for supporting evidence and guide you through your application.  Please get in touch.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.mygov.scot/apply-blue-badge/?via=http://www.bluebadgescotland.org/

http://gov.wales/topics/transport/road-users/bluebadgeschemeinfo/?lang=en

https://www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/motoring-and-transport/blue-badge-scheme