Blue Badge Scheme

Summary

The Blue Badge provides a national scheme of parking concessions for people who have severe walking difficulties and travel either as a passenger or driver.  This scheme applies also to people who are registered blind, people who have severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle and cannot turn a steering wheel by hand.

This scheme allows the badge holder to park close to their destination, but national concessions apply only to on-street parking.  The same procedure is followed for issuing new badges, renewing existing ones and for issuing duplicates when badges are lost or stolen.

How do you know if you are eligible?

You are eligible for a Blue Badge if you fit into one of the following categories:

• You receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  
• You receive a war pension 'mobility supplement'.  
  
• You are registered blind.
  
• The DWP give you help towards the running costs of a vehicle.
  
• You have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand even if that vehicle is fitted with a turning knob.
  
• You have severe disabilities in both arms, and regularly drive a non-adapted vehicle but cannot operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter (i.e. those with thalidomide related disabilities).
  
• You have a permanent substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking. this case you may be asked to answer a series of questions to help the local authority determine whether you are eligible for a badge.  People with a psychological disorder will not normally qualify unless their impairment causes very considerable, and not intermitted or difficulty in walking.
  
• Your child is under the age of two and due to a specific medical condition, needs to travel with bulky medical equipment or be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment.

Procedures

Application forms for the Blue Badge scheme can be requested by post, be collected from any local Barnsley Connects Service Centre, or alternatively you can ring Barnsley Connects direct on 01226 775656 and request a 'Blue Badge Scheme' application form (BB1).

Your application pack will include the following items:

• DETR Information Leaflet
• Letter
• An addressed envelope in which to return your completed form

If you wish, you can download an application form and guidance notes from this website by clicking on the links on this page.

BLUE BADGE NOTES.pdf         

BLUE BADGE APPLICATION FORM.pdf

Help?

Any applicant can ask for help by either:

• Ringing the Barnsley Connects Contact Centre on 01226 775656
  
• Ringing DFT (Department For Transport) on 0870 1226 236
  
• For other information on DFT please see the Department for Transport  website.
  
• Calling in person to any Barnsley Connects Service Centre and speaking to an advisor.

If you are a Minicom User, please call 01226 772772.

RNID Typetalk

If you are a RNID Typetalk user, please call 18002 followed by 01226 775656

You can get more information about RNID Typetalk by visiting the RNID Typetalk website

Completed forms should then be returned to any of our local Barnsley Connects Service Centres.  To find out where your local Barnsley Connects Service Centre are please visit our website for details under 'Quick Links'.

 
All original documents and sources of evidence should be provided with the application, and these will be returned to you in 10 working days.

Charges/Fees and methods of payment

A ₤2.00 administration fee is due on receipt of an application, and is non refundable.

Payments can be made by cash, cheque or postal order. These payments can be made at any of your local Barnsley Connects Service Centres, where you will be issued with a receipt.

How you can help

Please bring along proof of your eligibility. One of the following is adequate proof and must be the original copy:

• A recent copy of your DLA award (this however must be no older than 6 months).  This will have been sent to you by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). 
• A copy of your War Mobility Allowance, which will have been sent to you by the Veterans Agency. 
• A copy of your Certificate of Visual Impairment or a Social Services letter.
• A copy of your current mobility agreement.  You will have received this from the dealership which supplied your vehicle.

You will also require confirmation that you live in the borough. One of the following is adequate proof, a photocopy would be acceptable:

• UtilityBill
• Rent Book
• Council Tax Bill
• Benefit Entitlement

Which ever one you provide, it must contain a date within the last three months to show that you are living in the Borough of Barnsley.

You will also require confirmation of your identity, two of the following is adequate proof , a photocopy would be acceptable:

• Birth/Adoption Certificate
• Medical Card
• New Driving Licence
• Passport
  

Leaflets and distribution points

The following leaflet is available: - DTLR The Blue Badge Scheme

This leaflet can be found at all our Barnsley Connects Services Centres, please see 'Quick Links' for your nearest office.

You can also get one from the address shown below:

DTLR Free Literature,
PO Box 326,
Wetherby,
LS23 7NB
Fax 0870 1226 237

email: dft@twoten.press.net

Websites

For links to associated websites please see 'External Links' and 'Quick Links' to the top right hand side of the page here you will find links to your local Barnsley Connects Service Centres.

Response Times and Next Steps

If you have met the criteria and provided all relevant information needed to process the Blue Badge, the original documents will be sent back to you once they have been checked and the Blue Badge will be issued within 28 working days.

If you do not meet the criteria, we can obtain further supporting evidence with consent from your nominated professional representative stated on the application. This is usually within 10 working days, and once we are in receipt of this information a decision will be made and you will be notified within 28 working days.

If your application has been unsuccessful you will be informed in writing and given information about what you can do next.

Blue Badge Frequently Asked Questions

What is the disabled parking badge scheme?

 The disabled parking badge scheme is a national scheme for people who:

• Are registered blind or
• Have severe walking difficulties or
• Regularly drive but are unable to turn the steering wheel by hand.

The scheme provides a wide range of parking benefits. For example the scheme enables badge holders to park free in most pay and display car parks and also to park on single and double yellow lines in most streets for up to three hours.

Barnsley Metropolitam Borough Council administers the scheme for Barnsley residents on behalf of the Department for Transport.

For people who do not live in Barnsley , please contact your local council. They should be able to help.

What are the rules for getting a Disabled Parking Badge?

You will automatically receive a disabled parking badge if you are currently in receipt of the following benefits:

• You receive the higher rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance.
  
•  You receive a War Pensioners' Mobility supplement.
  
•  You are registered blind.
  
•  The DWP give you help towards the running costs of a vehicle.
  
• If you don't qualify under any of the above rules, you may still qualify under our discretionary rules. To find out if you qualify under our discretionary rules we will need to contact your doctor. We will send your doctor a form which asks about your ability to walk. Generally, if your doctor tells us that you are unable to walk more than 50 metres without stopping, severe discomfort, or help from another person, you will qualify for a disabled parking badge.

How do you apply for a disabled parking badge?

Application forms for the Blue Badge Scheme can be requested by post, be collected from any local  Barnsley Connects Service Centre or alternatively you can ring Barnsley Connects Service Centre direct on (01226) 775656 and request a 'Blue Badge Scheme' application form (BB1).

Is there a charge for the badge?

A £2.00 administration fee is due on receipt of an application, and is non refundable.

How long will it take to get the badge?

Once we have received your completed application form and, if necessary, a form completed by your doctor, we will issue the badge within 28 days.

How long does the badge last for?

Each disabled parking badge lasts for 3 years. If you still require a Blue Badge after 3 years you can apply for a new one. However, badges can be issued for less than 3 years to people who are awarded the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance (HRMCDLA) or the War pensioners mobility supplement (WPMS).

Does it have to be my doctor that you contact for proof of eligibility?

We will write to any medical professional, as requested by you. We would advise you that if your doctor is not aware of any change in your circumstances that you let them know in advance.

What happens if my new badge does not arrive before my current badge runs out?

Please apply for a replacement badge in good time. We don't advise that you display a faded or expired Blue Badge. Parking Attendants police the scheme in Barnsley and do check very carefully to prevent misuse of the scheme.

Can you use the photograph on my existing badge for my new blue badge?

No, photographs need to be recent (taken within the last six months). Photographs that have a blue or orange background are very old. You do not need to go to a photo booth for a new photograph - a recent family photo or one taken with a digital camera is fine to use.

I have two cars. Can I have two badges?

No, the badge is issued to a person and can then be used in any vehicle. This includes family, friends or even taxis.

Can I have a badge for a temporary condition?

We have no legal powers to issue Blue Badges for temporary conditions. Badges are only issued for permanent conditions.

Can I loan my Blue Badge to another person?

No, the Blue Badge has been issued for you only; this can be used whether you are the driver or a passenger. It must not be used when you are not the driver or the passenger. It is a criminal offence for a non-disabled person to use a Blue Badge. If they do so, they are liable to a fine up to £1,000.

Last modified on 16/9/2008