Blue Badge: How To Obtain a Disabled Parking Permit in the UK

How to Apply for a Disabled Parking Permit

Finding parking anywhere is challenging, especially when almost everyone has a car. With everyone fighting for a parking spot, especially one next to their destination, it’s only fair to ensure that persons struggling with disabilities don’t go through a strenuous process of finding a conducive parking spot wherever they go.

If you fall under the category of people with mental or physical disabilities and want a blue badge to rescue you from long distances between the parking lot and your destination, here’s what you should do.

What Is a Blue Badge?

A blue badge is a clearance sticker that gives people suffering from disabilities and chronic illnesses access to parking spots that others normally won’t access. It allows you to park somewhere nearest to the destination you’re headed to and avoid long walking distances without being arrested. It also lets you park at designated places for free unless stated otherwise.

The Difference Between a Blue Badge and a Temporary Blue Badge

The government offers two distinct types of blue badges. One is temporary, while the other one is permanent. The temporary blue badge is reserved for people recovering from severe medical conditions and injuries or awaiting treatment for the same, and this badge is only valid for 12 months.

On the other hand, a permanent blue badge is given to people with long-term medical conditions they have battled or will battle with for the rest of their lives. This document also lasts three times as long as the temporary ones.

Who Qualifies?

The government automatically prequalifies a set of individuals in the category of persons with particular disabilities. These people must be at least three years old and have one of the following situations apply to them:

• • You’re a DLA beneficiary receiving a significant chunk of the mobility component
• • The reason for your PIP benefits is the inability to walk past 50 meters
• • Are registered to be severely sight impaired
• • Are receivers of the war pensioners’ mobility supplement
• • You’ve received the armed forces and reserved forces compensation scheme lumpsum between levels 1-8 due to disability making it challenging or impossible to walk
• • Is a PIP beneficiary with 10 points for descriptor E for psychological distress caused by taking a journey.

Aside from these pre-qualified persons, other individuals that can get access to a blue badge include:

• • Anyone who can’t walk
• • Persons that are unable to walk without help
• • Individuals with terminal illnesses
• • Anyone with severe disability in both arms that drive frequently
• • People with difficulties with controlling their actions and have no comprehension of their efforts toward others
• • Parents with children below three suffering from disability as a result of medical conditions requiring them to travel with heavy gear
• • Anyone struggling to plan or follow a journey
• • Persons that are a risk to others and themselves when they are near cars or in traffic.

The Requirements and Documentation Needed

If you do not automatically qualify for a disabled parking permit, you have to apply and provide documents to back your claims. Here’s what you should take to the local council or attach to your application form when requesting this document:

• • A government-issued identity document
• • Proof of address
• • Passport-sized photo
• • National Insurance Number (NIN)
• • Contact information
• • Proof of benefits such as PIP
• • Second last page of your mobility assessment score
• • Last page of your mobility score

Suppose you cannot provide any of these documents due to a hidden condition. In that case, you will be required to provide the appropriate medication you take, prove you’re receiving treatment for the disease, or provide information of healthcare professionals involved in your treatment.

Additionally, if you are applying for this service without receiving PIP or any other help for the disabled, you may be required to take particular tests before ascertaining your eligibility.

How to Apply

You can apply online for this badge all year round without any restrictions. You must visit the the official government website and click on the start button at the bottom of the page. Choose whom you’re applying for and click continue. On the next page, indicate the applicant’s postal code to determine their local council. After finding the council location, click on the provided link and follow the instructions to complete the application. Note that you must have an account to use this option.

If you opt for the mailing option, fill out the recommended forms, attach the necessary documents, and mail them to the blue badge scheme. Not every applicant has a smooth case. If you’re one of these, you can talk to the GP care advisors for help.

There’s the option of replacing your blue card once the current one expires. When you want to renew an expiring blue badge, you should provide the same details as above and include information about the existing permit.

Can You Check the Status of Your Application?

If you applied for the blue budget using an online account, you could check the application’s status in your account notifications. However, if you used the mailing route instead, you can check in with your local council via phone or visit their offices for more details.

Is The Application Process the Same All over the UK?

Application for this badge is not the same everywhere. In some cities, you must confirm your eligibility; in others, you automatically qualify if you fall under the stipulated category of persons with disabilities.

Cost, Validity, And Processing Time

How much you spend on this badge depends on where you live. Persons in Wales don’t have to pay anything to get it while those in England and Scotland must pay £10 and £20 respectively. Depending on the type of disability parking permit you get, it may last for 12 months or three years.

How long does it take to get a blue badge, you ask? It takes the council utmost 12 weeks to conclude your request if you have everything in order. But it could take longer if you do not provide every requirement during the initial application step.

Conclusion

A blue badge helps assist people with disabilities to access parking effortlessly. If you, a loved one, or persons in your organization have such a condition, you can apply for the disabled parking permit on the blue badge scheme website and ease their parking problems. You can visit the official government website for more in-depth information about what you need and how you should do everything when applying for a blue badge.