Apply or renew a Blue Badge
The Blue Badge scheme is for people with severe mobility problems. It allows Blue Badge holders to park close to their destination. The national concessions apply to on-street parking and in Bromley borough only, car parks too. Conditions of use must be adhered to.
Who can apply
You may qualify automatically for a Blue Badge if you
- Receives the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA); or
- Receives the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and has obtained 8 points or more under the “moving around” activity; or
- Receives the mobility component of PIP and has obtained 10 points specifically for Descriptor E under the “planning and following journeys” activity, on the grounds that they are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause them overwhelming psychological distress; or
- Is registered blind (severely sight impaired); or
- Receives a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement (WPMS); or
- Has been both awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
Discretionary eligibility
You may be issued with a Blue Badge if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and is unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter; or
- Have a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
In addition, children under the age of three may be eligible for a badge if they fall within either or both of the following descriptions:
- A child who, on account of a condition, must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty;
- A child who, on account of a condition, must always be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle or the child can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given.
You may be requested to attend an assessment by an occupational therapist at the council offices. This assessment ensures that all applicants receive an impartial and consistent decision as to whether they meet the eligibility criteria or not.
As stated in the Department for Transport's guidance, badges will only be issued to those with a "permanent and substantial disability". The guidance also states; "In no circumstances should a badge be issued to applicants with a temporary disability".
In view of this, applicants who have suffered a trauma or have had or are due to have surgery may be required to wait for a period of 6 months prior to an assessment to allow for recovery.
If your application is refused and you believe that the decision did not take into account all the factors affecting your mobility you may request a review.
Organisations
A Blue Badge can be issued to certain organisations for use in a motor vehicle (or vehicles) when that vehicle (or vehicles) is to be used to transport disabled people who would qualify for a Blue Badge in their own right;
- Organisations who may apply for a badge must care for, and transport disabled people who themselves qualify for an individual badge;
- Have a clear need for an organisational badge rather than using the individual Blue Badges of the people it is transporting
Costs
A fee of £10 is required for issuing the badge.
Apply for a Blue Badge
We aim to process applications within 6-8 weeks of receipt of all requested information.
Due to necessary changes in procedures as a result of Covid-19, some applications are currently taking longer to process.
By making an application you confirm that the information supplied is true and correct.
Personal data
The council may refer to available information on health and social care information systems to support its decision making process.
In practice, this means the council may share your personal data across departments and with other local authorities and government organisations, including central government and its agencies. In addition the council may share personal data with its contractors, consultants and agents – those people and organisations who partner with and support the council in delivering services.
For more information on how the council may use your information visit www.bromley.gov.uk/privacy
Apply for a Blue Badge (adults and children over three, infants under three and organisations)
Renew a blue badge
Your Blue Badge is valid for three years or until your Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment award expires, whichever is sooner. The process for renewing a Blue Badge is the same as applying for a new one. Once you get your new badge, you must return your old Blue Badge.
Lost or stolen Blue Badges
Please complete the lost or stolen Blue Badge declaration form.