Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living

The Blue Badge Scheme

The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems who have difficulty using public transport. The scheme operates throughout the UK.

The concessions apply to on-street parking and include free use of parking meters and pay-and-display bays. Badge holders may also be exempt from limits on parking times imposed on others and can park for up to three hours on single and double yellow lines as long as they are not causing an obstruction (except where there is a ban on loading or unloading or other restrictions).

Do you qualify for a Blue Badge? Who is eligible. Automatic Criteria

The Department for Transport's guidelines for the Blue Badge Scheme state that you automatically qualify if:

· you are registered blind under the National Assistance Act 1948 (partially sighted does not qualify); or

· you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (Attendance Allowance does not qualify); or

· you receive a War Pensioner's Mobility supplement;

· can provide a letter from The Service Personnel and Veteran's Agency confirming that you are in receipt of tariffs 1-8 under the Armed Forces Order 2011 and have been assessed as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or considerable difficulty in walking.

And can supply evidence of the above. Discretionary criteria

If you do not qualify under the automatic criteria you may be able to apply under the discretionary criteria:

· if your disability is permanent and substantial and causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking;

· if you drive regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating all or some types of parking meter.

When applying under these criteria, you will need to take your application form to a medical professional for them to complete.

Not covered by the scheme

The scheme is only intended for very severely disabled people and does not allow for badges to be issued:

· if you have a temporary disability such as a broken leg or are awaiting a hip replacement;

· if you suffer from a psychological disorder, unless your condition causes very severe difficulty in walking;

· if your problem relates with carrying shopping, etc;

· if your condition is intermittent and does not continuously severely restrict your ability to walk;

· Children

Blue Badge Renewal

Blue Badges are issued for a maximum ofthree years, after which you will then have to re-apply.

Holders of a Leicester City Council Blue Badge will automatically receive a renewal reminder approximately three months before their badge is due to expire.

Get an application form

You can download, print out and fill in the application form,(Note: For residents out side Leicester City, but within County, please contact Leicestershire County Council Blue Badge Team). Alternatively you can:

· Visit one of the five Customer Services Centres within the City or we can complete your application while you wait in our Contact Centre.

· New Walk Centre Customer Services

· Braunstone Customer Services, BRITE Centre

· New Parks Customer Service Centre

· Saffron Customer Service Centre

· Charnwood Customer Services

In order to have yourapplication processedon the day at one of the above centres you need to attend the centre with £10 fee, and evidence of automatic eligibility dated within 12 months.

You can either bring a passport photo with you or have a photo taken at the centre.

Request an application pack by using the request online form or calling 0116 252 7000

· We have 2 application forms:
Automatic - for those who fall into the automatic crietria (evidence must be provided)

· Discretionary- for those who fall into the discretionary crietria

Discretionary applications

When applying under the DISCRETIONARY criteria, you will need to complete application in full providing any documentary evidence sowe can assess your eligibility for a badge.

Please allow four weeks for processing your application, which is only possible if all correct supporting information, photos and monies are provided.

Applications requiring additional information or a reassessment can not be processed during this time frame.

If you do not fully complete all sections and provide the evidence your application will be destroyed

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are a selection of questions regularly asked in relation to the badge scheme.

If you require further details or clarification on the information given, please contact Customer Services on 252 7000.

1. Who is eligible for a Blue Badge?

· are registered blind

· receive Mobility Allowance or the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance

· receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement in receipt of tariffs 1 - 8 under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Order 2011

· have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking

2. What evidence do I need to provide?

· If registered as blind under the National Assistance Act 1948, the registration number is required. The badge section will thenconfirm registration.

· If in Receipt of the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance an up-to-date photocopy of the DBD384 certificate is required.

· If a war pensions mobility supplement an official letter confirming the award is required.

· Can you provide a letter from The Service Personnel and Veteran’s Agency confirming that you are in receipt of tariffs 1 - 8 under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Order 2011 and have been assessed as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking?

3. Will I automatically receive a new badge when my current one expires?

We do send reminder letters to all existing Badge holders, however each application is assessed on its own merit.

4. Why are GP’s no longer involved?

Central Government have instructed that this is no longer possible and have transferred funds to Local Authority’s to employ Independent Medical assessors.

5. If you no longer involve my GP, what information do I need to provide?

We need you to answer questions regarding your mobility and also provide any recent information from a consultant, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist or other medical professional.

6. Why is the form longer?

We have designed two forms:

Automatic form – this is a two page form for applicants who qualify under the automatic criteria, e.g. Higher Rate of Disability Allowance, Registered blind…

Discretionary form – this is longer as we need to obtain information from applicants regarding their mobility.

7. Can anyone help me complete the form?

Yes - you can visit one of our Customer Service Centres or visit Grey Friars. Our staff will happily help complete your application form.

Visit one of our Customer Service Centres or Grey Friars.

Postal address:

Leicester City Council, Blue Badge Team, 1 Greyfrairs, Leicester, LE1 5PH.

8. How will you assess discretionary applications?

We will administer a robust desk top assessment, referring to information held within the Social Care Database. All applications will be considered carefully along with any evidence provided by professionals i.e. supporting consultant letters etc.

An appointment will be made with the mobility assessor if we are unable to make a decision.

If we require you to attend a Mobility Assessment the Blue Badge Team will contact you to arrange and confirm appointments in writing.

9. Where will the mobility assessments take place?

Assessments will be held at Grey Friars where we have parking facility.

10. Why has the fee increased to £10?

The current fee of £2 has not been increased since 1983, the increase in fee is being raised after consultation to cover the costs of the new badge design and administration costs more accurately.

11. How do I pay?

Either pay via telephone (0116 256 5181) or face to face at one of our customer service centres or Grey Friars.

We accept credit/debit payments; we also accept cheques and postal orders made payable to Leicester City Council.

(If you make a payment over the phone you will need to record the payment reference on the form so we can cross reference our records when we receive the form.)

12. Will unsuccessful applicants be charged?

No, the fee will be returned.

13. Why do I need to collect my badge?

Collection of badges ensures they reach the badge holder and also if you have a current badge this is returned before we issue a new one.

Nationally the main areas of misuse are by;

· Family members.

· Badges not received by post.

· The use of unreturned/expired badges.

14. Can I still come to Customer Services to get a badge while I wait?

No, as the badges are no longer produced in the authority, however we strongly recommend you visit as the benefits:

· Staff will still assist you in completing your application.

· Can take payments. (card, cheque or cash)

· They can take a digital photo on your visit.

· If you fall into the automatic criteria, staff will assess your application and enter the details onto the system.

· If you do not automatically qualify we will help complete the form, check all documents, take the fee, and take the photo. (save onto the shared drive)

15. How many photos do I need to provide?

Just one, either a passport sized photo attached to the application form, or you can email a ‘jpg’ or ‘gif’ file under 200kb to bluebadge@leicseter.gov.uk

You can come to one of the customer service centres and have a digital photo taken.

All photos must meet passport standards.

16. What if I lose my clock?

Call 252 7000, we will post one to you or you can arrange to collect from a Customer Service Centre of Grey Friars.

17. What if I lose my Badge?

Please double check your house, car, vehicle travelled in. It is always a good idea to contact where you have visited e.g. supermarket, hospital, etc. to check if it has been handed in.

If you are still unable to locate we will post you a form for you for completion in order for a replacement badge to be issued. Please be aware a £10 fee is payable.

18. If your application is unsuccessful

Where an applicant feels there is reason to query the decision made, Leicester City Council operates a re-assessment procedure.

A copy of the reassessment procedure is sent out to all applicants who are unsuccessful. A request should be received by the badge section within 28 days of the rejection letter and must be in writing, stating any additional medical information.

19. Is my badge transferable between vehicles?

Yes.Badges are issued to individuals not vehicles.

20. Can I have a reserved parking space outside my home if I have a badge?

Applications for a parking bay outside the badge holders home should be made to the Environment, Regeneration & Development Department of the Leicester City Council on (0116) 252 6533.

There is a charge and parking is not restricted to sole use, anyone with a blue badge can park, additionally the installation of a bay is at the Council’s discretion.

21. I broke my leg recently am I eligible?

People with temporary disabilities, such as a broken limb, are not eligible for a Blue Badge.

22. If I leave Leicester and move to another address in the UK, what do I do?

Your current badge is still valid. When your badge is due to expire, you will need to make an application to your new local authority. However you need to inform us of your new address so we can maintainour records.