Ann Conroy Trust CIO

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Blue Badge Scheme

The Blue Badge scheme allows people with severe mobility problems and those with certain other disabilities or conditions to park close to places they wish to visit.

Applications are processed by local authorities or by the Blue Badge Unit in Northern Ireland (0300 200 7818).

In England, you may be charged a maximum fee of £10; in Scotland, up to £20; in Northern Ireland the fee is £10; in Wales it is free. The badge lasts up to three years.

You can apply on line at www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge if you live in England, Scotland or Wales and www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/apply-or-renew-blue-badge if you live in Northern Ireland.

GOV.UK Website
NI Direct Website
Close-up of a UK roadside sign that reads "Disabled badge holders only" with a wheelchair symbol.

Criteria for Obtaining a Blue Badge

I have divided my explanation into two sections – people who automatically qualify for a blue badge and people who may qualify for a blue badge.

1. People Who Automatically Qualify for a Blue Badge

You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged 2 or over (3 or over in England) and at least one of the following applies:

  • you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the disability living allowance (DLA) or child disability payment
  • (in Scotland) previously got an indefinite or lifetime award of the higher rate mobility component of DLA, which has ended following a personal independence payment (PIP) re-assessment
  • (in England and Northern Ireland) have been awarded 8 points or more in the ‘Moving around’ activity of PIP, or 10 points in the ‘Planning and following journeys’ activity on the grounds that you cannot undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress
  • (in Scotland and Wales) have been awarded 8 points or more in the ‘Moving around’ activity of PIP or adult disability payment (ADP) or 12 points in the ‘Planning and following journeys’ activity
  • (in Scotland) previously got a fixed-term award of the higher rate mobility component of DLA, have not been awarded the appropriate points at a PIP re-assessment and you have asked for a mandatory reconsideration of the decision in the last year
  • you are registered blind or severely sight impaired
  • you get war pensioners’ mobility supplement
  • you have received a lump sum payment from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
  • (in Wales) you have received a lump sum payment from the AFCS due to a permanent mental disorder (tariff level 6)

What You Will Need to Apply for a Blue Badge

You will need to provide:

  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address
  • A recent head and shoulders digital photo
  • Your national insurance number (if you have one)
  • Contact details (phone number, email and postal address)

To prove your identity, you can provide a copy of either:

  • Birth or adoption certificate
  • Passport
  • Driving licence
  • Marriage or civil partnership certificate
  • Divorce or dissolution certificate

To prove your address, you can provide a copy of either:

  • A recent council tax bill
  • A recent letter from a government department such as Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
  • Driving licence
  • A recent letter from a school (if you are under 16)

You will also need to provide proof of benefit:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

You will need to know the scores from the mobility assessment and the award end date (if applicable). You will also be asked to provide proof of the PIP award. This would be the 3 pages from the letter from DWP which clearly shows:

  • Entitlement to PIP (front page)
  • Assessment score (second page)
  • Mobility scores (third page)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

You will need to know which rate of the mobility component you receive and the award end date (if applicable). You will also be asked to provide proof of the DLA award. This should be the most recent letter from DWP which clearly shows:

  • Mobility rating
  • Certificate of entitlement to DLA
  • The date of the letter

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

You will be asked to provide proof of the benefit. This should be the most recent letter from the Ministry of Defence, which clearly shows that you:

  • Were injured in service on or after 6 April 2005
  • Have been awarded a benefit by the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, with a lump sum payment within tariffs 1 to 8
  • Are certified as having a permanent, substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking

War Pensioners Mobility Scheme

You will be asked to provide proof of the benefit. This should be the most recent letter from the Ministry of Defence, which clearly shows that the applicant:

  • Was injured in service before 6 April 2005
  • Is in receipt of a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement

2. People Who May Get a Blue Badge

You may also be able to qualify through the ‘assessed route’ if you are aged 2 or over and:

  • Drive regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter
  • (In England) one of the following applies:
    • You cannot walk at all
    • You cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids
    • You find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes
    • Walking is dangerous to your health and safety
    • You have a terminal illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form
    • You are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
    • You struggle severely to plan or follow a journey
    • You find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others
    • You regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioral control
    • You frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces
  • (In Northern Ireland and Wales) have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
  • (In Scotland) are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk because of a substantial disability which is likely to last for at least 12 months
  • (In Scotland) have a mental condition and lack an awareness of the danger from traffic
  • (In Wales) as a result of a severe cognitive impairment are unable to plan or follow any journey without the help of someone else
  • (In Wales) have a terminal illness that seriously limits your mobility
  • (In Wales) you can apply for a temporary 12 – month badge if you are recovering from, or awaiting treatment for, a serious illness or injury

Special rules allow children under the age of 3 to qualify for a Blue Badge if they have a specific medical condition which means they:

  • Must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment that cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty
  • Need to be near a vehicle at all times so that they can, if necessary, be treated in the vehicle or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated

Proof of Eligibility

If you apply through the “assessed route” your local council will decide if you are eligible for a badge. To help assess your application you will be asked to provide extra information depending upon the answers you give when you are checking eligibility.

If you cannot walk or find walking difficult or have a non-visible (hidden) condition you will be asked to provide details of any:

  • Relevant medication that is taken
  • Relevant treatments that you receive or are due to receive
  • Healthcare or associated professionals that have been involved with the treatment of your condition

You will be asked if you want to upload supporting documents. This could be prescriptions, diagnosis letters or correspondence between professionals that treat your condition.

If you cannot walk or find walking difficult, you will also be asked questions around how your condition affects your walking.

If you have a non-visible (hidden) condition you will also be asked questions around how journeys between your vehicle and destination are affected by your condition.

Appeals

If your local authority refuses to issue you with a Blue Badge you have no formal right of appeal. However, many authorities have internal procedures for dealing with reviews, so it may be worth writing to ask for a review.

In Scotland, there is a formal review process. If a local authority decides that you do not qualify, you can ask for a review of the decision within 28 days of receiving the decision.

References

Disability Rights Handbook Edition 48 April 23 – April 24 – www.gov.uk

The information contained in this article was accurate at the time of production, however this is subject to change.

We are providing this information, for awareness purposes.