21 hours Ago By Fiona Callingham
People in need of a disabled parking permit can check to see if they automatically qualify for a Blue Badge. There are six factors that can instantly qualify you for the scheme. You may also be eligible for the permit for other reasons but will need to check, the Government website clarifies.
Blue Badges are awarded to those with significant health conditions or mobility or mental health impairments, allowing them to park nearer to their destinations. Data from 2024 shows that there were 2.84 million Blue Badge holders in England.
This means that more than one in 22 people have a disabled parking badge. But who is eligible for the permit? 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 eight 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 one to eight 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. Even if you automatically qualify you will still need to fill out an application online.
You may also be able to apply via a paper form through your local council. You may be also eligible for a badge if one or more 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 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. If you're not automatically eligible, you'll need to fill in an extra part of the application form to explain why you need a badge.
The Government website states: “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 you require help with your application you can contact Citizens Advice for assistance. In England, Scotland and Wales you can apply on GOV.UK for a Blue Badge.
If you live in Northern Ireland you can apply at nidirect.gov.uk .
To apply you will need: 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 Your original decision letter from the Department for 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. You can apply for a badge for yourself, on behalf of somebody else or an organisation that transports people that need a Blue Badge. Your local council should provide reasons for not qualifying.
If you believe they've missed important information, you can ask them to reconsider their decision. You can also reapply if your disability or health condition worsens. A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England and Northern Ireland.
It is £20 in Scotland and free in Wales. The badge typically lasts up to three years. Remember to reapply for a Blue Badge before your current one expires.
For more details, visit gov.uk/apply-blue-badge ..
