Many people aren’t aware that they are automatically eligible to qualify for a Blue Badge – this is all you need to know
Blue Badges are a lifeline for individuals with disabilities or health conditions, enabling them to park closer to their destination. However, many drivers may be unaware that certain individuals automatically qualify for a badge.
Applications can be made on behalf of yourself, another individual, or an organisation that transports people requiring a Blue Badge. The cost varies across the UK, with charges up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland, while it is free in Wales, reports Chronicle Live.
Typically, these badges are valid for up to three years. But what are the guidelines for applying for a Blue Badge and what is the eligibility criteria?
Here’s a rundown of all those who automatically qualify for a Blue Badge, those who might be eligible if they meet specific criteria, and the necessary documents required for application. This includes individuals receiving DWP disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
The precise rules concerning PIP and Blue Badges are outlined below. More information can be found here.
And you can apply for a Blue Badge here. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
Who can automatically get a Blue Badge?
You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged three or over and at least one of the following applies:
- you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
- you are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
- you receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
- you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress
The Department for Transport has clarified the rules around Blue Badge eligibility, stating: “If you have any score other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity of PIP you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but you do not automatically qualify. This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide evidence to demonstrate your eligibility which will be assessed as part of your application.”
Who might qualify for a blue badge?
Eligibility criteria for obtaining a Blue Badge include:
- 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 life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form
- you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines
- you have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
- you have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment
- 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 behavioural control
- you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces
According to the Department for Transport’s guidelines: “Your local council will decide if you are eligible for a badge. They cannot start the assessment process until they have all the necessary evidence. It may take 12 weeks or longer to assess your application. If they decide that you are not eligible and you think that they did not take account of all the facts, you can ask them to consider your application again.”
What are the documents needed to apply for a Blue Badge?
You 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)
Proof of identity options include providing either:
- birth or adoption certificate
- passport
- driving licence
- marriage or civil partnership certificate
- divorce or dissolution certificate
You can prove your address by:
- a recent council tax bill
- a recent letter from a Government department such as Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- driving licence
- a recent letter from a school (if you are under 16)
Applicants who believe they are entitled to a Blue Badge through certain benefits must show proof of these benefits. For those qualifying via PIP, information on their mobility assessment scores and the end date of their award, where relevant, is required.
You’ll also be required to present evidence of the PIP award. This should be the three pages from the DWP letter, clearly displaying entitlement to PIP (front page), assessment scores (penultimate page) and mobility scores (final page).
For DLA, you’ll need to know your rate of the mobility component and the award end date (if applicable). You’ll also be asked to provide proof of the DLA award.
This should be the most recent letter from DWP, clearly showing mobility rating, certificate of entitlement to DLA and the date of the letter.
Proof of eligibility
The Department for Transport clarifies that if you are applying without one of the benefits, the application will need to be assessed by the issuing local council. To assist in assessing the application, you’ll be asked to provide additional information based on the answers you give when checking eligibility.
If you have difficulty walking or cannot walk, or you have a non-visible (hidden) condition, you will be asked to provide details of any relevant medication taken, relevant treatments received or due to be received, and healthcare or associated professionals involved with the treatment of your condition. You will be asked if you wish to upload supporting documents.
These could include prescriptions, diagnosis letters or correspondence between professionals treating your condition.
If you struggle with walking or find it challenging, you will be asked questions about how your condition impacts your ability to walk. If you have a non-visible (hidden) condition, you will also be asked questions about how your journeys between your vehicle and destination are affected by your condition.
More details can be found here.