Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

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 with a health condition that affects their mobility.

Councils can charge for a blue badge. The most you can be charged is £10. You can find more information from your local council about the Blue Badge scheme through GOV.UK.

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

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.

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
- get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - check your decision letter if you're not sure
- 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

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 10 points in the ‘planning and following journeys’ area of your PIP assessment and were put in category ‘E’ - this means your stress, anxiety or other mental health issue stops you leaving the house
- Check your PIP decision letter if you’re not sure.

If you're not automatically eligible, you can still get a badge if:

- you have long term problems walking or going to places - including problems caused by stress, anxiety or other mental health issues
- you have severe problems using both your arms
- you're applying on behalf of a child aged over 2 who has problems walking or going to places, or a child under 3 who needs to be close to a vehicle -
- because of a health condition

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.