Applying for a Blue Badge

If you're disabled or have a health condition that affects your mobility, you can apply for a Blue Badge. 

You can also apply for a badge if you care for a child who's disabled or has a health condition that affects their mobility.  

Blue badges are free of charge in Wales.

If you get certain benefits you'll automatically be able to get a Blue Badge. The application will be straightforward. 

It's still worth applying if you're not automatically eligible, but you'll need to have very severe problems moving your legs or arms. The application will be more complicated, because you'll have to describe your mobility problems in a lot of detail. 

You don't need to be able to drive to apply for a Blue Badge, unless you're applying because of problems with your arms. 

Follow the advice on this page to renew your Blue Badge, too. You can’t use an expired badge, so make sure you apply for a new one as early as possible. You can ask your council when to submit your renewal.

Important

You can only get a Blue Badge from your local council or at GOV.UK. 

No one else can provide a genuine Blue Badge - if you think you’ve been scammed, you should report it.

Who can get a Blue Badge 

You’re automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you:

• are registered as blind

• care for a child who is blind and aged over 2

• get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• get War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement 

• received a lump sum payment as part of the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariffs 1 to 8), and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability

• received a lump sum payment as part of the Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariff 6) for a permanent mental disorder

If you get Personal Independence Payments (PIP)

You’re automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you either:

• scored 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your PIP assessment

• scored 12 points in the ‘planning and following journeys’ area of your PIP assessment

Check your PIP decision letter if you’re not sure.

If you're not automatically eligible

You might still be able to get a badge. You'll have to fill in an extra part of the application to show why you need one. 

You should do this if:

• you have problems walking that are permanent

• you have severe problems using both your arms

• you're applying on behalf of a child aged over 2 who has problems walking, or a child under 3 who needs to be close to a vehicle because of a health condition

• you have a terminal illness that causes you serious issues getting around

You should also fill in this section if you can’t plan or follow a route without help from someone else because you have a severe ‘cognitive impairment’. A cognitive impairment is something that makes it harder for you to remember things or solve problems, for example a learning disability or dementia.

If you have temporary problems getting around

You can apply for a temporary 12 month Blue Badge if you’re recovering from, or waiting for treatment for a serious illness or injury that severely limits your mobility. Examples include:

• complex leg fractures eg managed with external fixators for over a year

• hip or knee joint replacements

• stroke or head injuries

• spinal injuries

• medical treatment eg for cancer

Your local council might refer you for an independent medical assessment to make sure that you qualify for a temporary badge.

Applying for a Blue Badge

You can apply for or renew your Blue Badge online on GOV.UK. Some councils also let you apply on a paper form - contact your local council to check. 

You have to apply through your local council - your doctor can't help you get a Blue Badge. Your local council might also arrange an appointment to visit you - they'll let you know if you need this.

Filling in the application if you're not automatically eligible 

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 application is more complicated if you're not automatically eligible - you can contact your nearest Citizens Advice for help.

If you have a terminal illness

Your council will usually fast-track your application. 

Contact your local council and ask if you can fill in a paper form - tell them you're terminally ill when you call. You'll still need to prove you're eligible but your application might be dealt with quicker. They might give you instructions that will make the application easier, for example you might not need to answer all the questions on the form. 

If you apply online, make sure you write clearly that you're terminally ill when you're asked to describe your medical condition. There won't be a box to tick. 

Documents you need 

Before you apply, make sure you have:

• 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 

You’ll also need:

• 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

Send copies of your documents rather than originals, in case your application gets lost in the post.

What happens after you've applied

It could take a long time for your application to be processed. You should contact your council if you haven’t heard back within 12 weeks.

You might be asked to do a mobility assessment. A health professional will look at your ability to carry out a range of mobility activities. They'll tell your council whether they think your health condition or disability limits your ability to move around enough for you to need a badge. 

You also might be asked to send in extra information or speak to a member of the council. 

Your council will tell you in writing if this is the case.

If you’re refused a Blue Badge, you can ask your council to reconsider their decision. The decision letter from the council will tell you how to ask for a review and what the time limit is.

Renewing your Blue Badge

You’ll need to renew your badge after 3 years. You'll also have to re-apply for a badge if you stop getting the benefit your badge is linked to.

You must give your Blue Badge back to your council if you no longer need it, for example if your condition improves. You could be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t.