Who qualifies for Blue Badges?

Applicants who qualify without further assessment

You are entitled to a badge automatically if any one of the following points applies to you:

• You receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). You should have received a letter from the Benefits Agency telling you this. Please submit a copy of the award letter issued to you dated within the last 12 months. Attendance Allowance is different and does not entitle you to a badge. However, you may still qualify on other grounds - see below.
• You receive 8 points or more under the 'Moving Around' activity of the mobility component of PIP. The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) is introducing a new social security benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged 16-64.
• The Department for Transport (DfT) have confirmed that recipients of the new benefit called Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) do not qualify automatically for a blue badge.  Further information can be found in this frequently asked questions document.
• You receive the War Pensioners mobility supplement. You should have received a letter from the Benefits Agency telling you this. Please submit a copy of this letter with your application.
• You receive a lump sum benefit under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme within tariff levels 1-8 (inclusive) and have been assessed and certified by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. You will have been issued with a letter from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency confirming the level of your award and also confirming that you have been assessed as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. You must enclose a copy of the original of this letter as proof of entitlement. If you have lost this letter, then the agency can be contacted via the free-phone enquiry number on 0800 169 22 77.
• You have a terminal illness and hold a DS1500 report from your GP or the MacMillan Nursing Trust.  Please provide a copy of this report to support your application.
• You use a motor vehicle for disabled people supplied by a government health department. Please submit a copy of the Motability contract dated within the last 12 months. This does not mean a Mobility Finance vehicle, however if you have a Mobility Finance vehicle you will probably qualify on one of the previous points.
• You are registered blind/severely sight impaired. We will confirm this registration with the Council's Sensory Support Unit. If you are registered as partially sighted you will not automatically qualify for a badge.

Assessing people with severe disability in both arms

Applications can be approved where:

• You have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle, and cannot operate or have considerable difficulty operating all or some type of parking meter or pay and display ticket machine.  Most drivers with disabilities in both arms drive an adapted vehicle and should be able to provide an insurance document or their driving licence to confirm the adaptations to the vehicle.
• Children under three years of age who have a condition that requires they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment, or must remain close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment can qualify for a blue badge.  The application should be supported by a letter from a healthcare professional involved in the child's treatment to confirm the medical condition and the type of medical equipment the child needs.

Applicants who may qualify after further assessment

If none of the points listed above applies to you then you do not automatically qualify for a badge. However, you may still qualify for a badge if you have a permanent and substantial disability which means that you cannot walk or have considerable difficulty in walking.

In this case, we will undertake a desk-based scoring exercise looking at the information you have provided in section 3 of your application form. From that exercise we may establish that you do meet the criteria for a badge; your application may be refused or you may be referred for an independent mobility assessment.  The mobility assessments are carried out at The Dene Centre by a medical professional with expertise in mobility issues, such as an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist and who is independent of the applicant.

People who have temporary mobility issues

The blue badge regulations do not allow the issue of temporary badges.  Blue badges are only issued to people with a permanent disability - if your disability is temporary you are not eligible for a blue badge.

Psychological or behavioural problems

Government regulations do not allow for the issue of badges to people with psychological or behavioural problems, unless they also have severe mobility difficulties. Blue Badges are only available to people with a permanent and substantial physical disability.

Appealing the refusal of an application

Applicants have the right to appeal the decision to refuse their Blue Badge application.   These are the steps to follow:
1. The letter you will receive to inform you of the decision to reject your application will include information on how we reached that decision.  If you wish to appeal against this decision please write to the Notice Processing Manager at the address quoted on the letter or send in an email. You do not need to submit a fresh application form.
2. Explain why you are appealing the decision not to issue you a Blue Badge.
3. If there is any further information regarding your disability and how it severely affects your ability to walk, that was not included in your application you can include that with your appeal, for consideration.  This could include any new medical or benefit evidence, for example changes to relevant benefits, or further information from a doctor or other medical professional.
4. The Notice Processing Manager will review your appeal and will confirm if there is any other information required to assess your eligibility for a blue badge before a decision is reached. You may be asked to attend an independent mobility assessment as part of this process.
5. A letter will be issued to you to inform you of the decision reached following your appeal.

Complaints procedure

If you feel that you have been treated unfairly or have received a poor service the letter informing you of the decision to reject your application includes details of the Council's Complaints Procedure.