Blue Badge Scheme and how to apply

GOV.UK: Apply for or Renew a Blue Badge 

To apply for or renew your blue badge you will need:

• an electronic photograph of yourself taken within the last month
• your National Insurance (NI) number
• an email address
• proof of your address, such as a council tax bill, valid driving licence, DWP or NHS letter
• proof of identity, such as a passport or birth certificate, valid driving licence
• proof of any benefit or registration as severely sight impaired that proves you qualify
• information and evidence of any medical conditions, treatment or diagnosis to support your application

If you are renewing your badge, please remember to apply at least 10 weeks before your current one expires.

You should not apply more than 12 weeks before your current badge expires.

You are automatically eligible if you are more than two years old and:

• are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
• get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)
• get 8 points or more under the “moving around” activity of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• get the mobility component of PIP and have got 10 points specifically for the descriptor under the “planning and following journeys” activity, which states that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress
• get the War Pensioners Mobility supplement
• have been both awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme and have confirmation that you have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking

If you are unsure whether these questions apply to you, more information can be found in Section 2 on the application form guidance notes.

If you do meet the eligibility you will still need to complete an application.

Important note: Government guidance states that for Planning and Following a Journey, only a PIP score of 10 under Descriptor E meets Blue Badge eligibility. No other descriptor will qualify for automatic eligibility. For example, if you receive 10 points under Descriptor D or 12 points under Descriptor F you should apply under the ‘subject to further assessment’ criteria.

You may also be able to get a blue badge if you are more than two years old and:

• are unable to walk
• have an enduring and substantial disability which is likely to last three years, which means whilst walking during the course of a journey you experience very considerable difficulty. This may be because of physical disabilities or ‘hidden’ disabilities which may include very considerable psychological distress, or a risk of serious harm to yourself or others when walking near vehicles, in traffic or car parks; applications can also be made in relation to ‘combined’ difficulties
• you drive a vehicle 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
• have been certified by an expert assessor as having an enduring and substantial disability that significantly affects your ability to walk. (You will be required to provide detailed information about your conditions and difficulties, a letter stating that a professional 'supports the application' will not be sufficient to demonstrate the conditions stated in the application).
• you have a terminal illness that seriously limits your mobility – if you apply under this criterion a DS1500 form or a SR1 form should be provided with the application which allows it to be fast-tracked

Applying for a child under the age of three

If a child meets either or both of the following criteria they may qualify for a badge:

• a child who, on account of a condition, must at all times be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty.
• a child who, on account of a condition, must at all times be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle or they can be quickly taken to a place where such treatment can be given

Applying under the ‘Hidden’ criteria

You should consider applying for a Blue Badge if you have a non-visible (“hidden”) condition which causes you to severely struggle with journeys between a vehicle and your destination and you:

• are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks
• severely struggle to plan or follow a journey
• find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact that it could have on others
• regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control
• frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public / open spaces

You will need to provide information and examples of the difficulties experienced, as well as sufficient evidence of your enduring and substantial disability to support your application. This should include reports, plans, letters and other documentation from health and/or social care professionals.

A letter stating that a professional 'supports the application' will not be sufficient to demonstrate the conditions stated in the application.

Organisational Badges

Blue Badges may also be available for organisations that care for and transport multiple disabled people, who would themselves meet one or more of the eligibility criteria.

Apply for an organisational Blue Badge

Sending us your supporting evidence

As well as your application form, you will need to submit/send us the relevant supporting evidence. 

Please send scanned or photocopied documents only - we may not be able to return any original documents sent to us and we cannot be held responsible for documents that are valuable.

You can send us your supporting evidence by:

• email to bluebadge@newcastle.gov.uk
• post at: Blue Badge Scheme, Newcastle City Council, Civic Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8QH

We cannot process your application until we receive all documentation.

Cost of issuing a badge and how to pay

If your application is approved, a fee of £10 will be charged for your Blue Badge, which can be paid online by telephone or by cheque.

When we have looked at and assessed your application an officer will contact you to discuss any additional information or evidence required, or to advise of payment methods if approved.

How long will it take for me to receive my Blue Badge?

It can take up to 12 weeks to assess your application.

Once we have approved a badge and payment has been made, we will process your request within 5 working days.

The Department for Transport will then send you your Blue Badge in the post within 10 working days.

If you are renewing your badge, you must complete the same application form online.

Please remember to apply at least 8 weeks before your current one expires to make sure you get your new one in time.

If your application is refused

We will tell you why you are not entitled for a Blue Badge.

You can ask us to reconsider your case if you don't think all the important information you provided was taken into account by emailing or writing in a request explaining your reasons.

You can also re-apply after 6 months of refusal if your mobility problems become more serious.

Lost, damaged, stolen or no longer needed badges

If you have lost or damaged your blue badge permit, it has been stolen, the badge holder has died or you no longer need the badge, please report it to the Blue Badges team by

• Phone on 0191 2787878
• Email at bluebadge@newcastle.gov.uk

Or return it by post to:

Blue Badge Permits, Newcastle City Council, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH.