Blue Badge disabled parking permits 9 mins read This advice applies across the UK. Some disabled children qualify for a Blue Badge. A Blue Badge allows you to park close to where you need to go, such as in disabled parking spaces. In this article What is the Blue Badge? Blue Badge permit holders can park closer to their destination, for example in designated parking spaces. Blue Badge holders can also ask for a disabled parking space near their home. Usually this would be free, but local councils can have different rules about how can apply for one. Blue Badge holders can apply for a 100% discount on the London Congestion Charge. The Blue Badge is linked to the disabled person rather than a particular vehicle. This means you can use the Blue Badge in any car the badge holder is passenger or driver. Although the scheme applies throughout the UK, the rules about who qualifies are different in each of the nations. You need to apply by contacting your local authority, and there may be a small administrative charge. Blue Badge rules in England Who is automatically eligible for a Blue Badge? Your child will qualify for a Blue Badge automatically if they are aged two or over and: Get the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the higher rate; or Are registered blind; or Score eight points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of either Personal Independence Payment (PIP); or Score ten points under the ‘planning and following a journey’ activity of Personal Independence Payment, because they “are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant”. They must score 10 points specifically for this reason. If they score 10 (or 12 points) for another reason, they will not qualify automatically. (For example, if they score 10 points because they need someone to accompany them outdoors, they won’t automatically qualify. They may qualify under the assessed route instead – see below). Qualifying under the ‘assessed route’ Even if your child doesn’t qualify automatically, they may still qualify under ‘the assessed route’. This means that the local authority carries out an assessment of your child’s needs. You will need to complete a Blue Badge application form. The local authority is also likely to want information from health or social care professionals who know your child. Your child should qualify by this route if the local authority decides that one of the following applies: They are two or over with an enduring and substantial disability that, during the course of a journey, causes them: To be unable to walk; or To have considerable difficulties in walking, which may include considerable psychological distress; or To be at serious risk of harm when walking; or To pose, when walking, serious risk of harm to any other person. They drive regularly but, due to a severe disability in both arms, have great difficulty using all parking meters. They are under three and their specific medical condition means they either: Need to be near a vehicle at all times in case they need treatment; or Always need to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment. Bulky medical equipment includes: Ventilators. Suction machines. Feed pumps. Parenteral equipment. Syringe drivers. Oxygen administration and saturation monitoring equipment. Casts and associated equipment for the correction of hip dysplasia. How do I apply for a Blue Badge? Whether your child qualifies automatically or they go down the assessed route, you apply for a Blue Badge at gov.uk. Blue Badge rules in Northern Ireland Who is automatically eligible for a Blue Badge? Your child will qualify for a Blue Badge automatically if they are aged two or over and they: Get the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the higher rate; or Are registered blind; or Score eight points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Qualifying under the ‘assessed route’ Even if they do not qualify automatically, your child may still qualify under ‘the assessed route’. This means that the local authority carries out an assessment of your child’s needs. Your child should qualify by this route if the local authority decides that one of the following applies: They are two or over with a ‘permanent and substantial difficulty that causes an inability to walk or great difficulty in walking’. They drive regularly but, due to a severe disability in both arms, have great difficulties using all parking meters. They are under three and their specific medical condition means they either: Need to be near a vehicle at all times in case they need treatment; or Always need to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment. Bulky medical equipment includes: Ventilators. Suction machines. Feed pumps. Parenteral equipment. Syringe drivers. Oxygen administration and saturation monitoring equipment. Casts and associated equipment for the correction of hip dysplasia. How do I apply for a Blue Badge? Visit nidirect for information on how to apply for a Blue Badge. Blue Badge rules in Scotland Who is automatically eligible for a Blue Badge? Your child will qualify for a Blue Badge automatically if they are aged two or over and they: Get the higher rate mobility component of either Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment. You can continue to get a blue badge if you are challenging a decision that your child no longer qualifies for the higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment and you are receiving short-term assistance in the meantime; or Are registered blind; or Get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and either score eight points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity or 12 points under the ‘planning and following a journey’ activity; or of either or . You can or Get Adult Disability Payment and score eight points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity or 12 points under the ‘planning and following a journey’ activity. You can also continue to get a blue badge if you are challenging a decision that you no longer qualify for sufficient points and you are receiving short-term assistance in the meantime; or Get Adult Disability Payment and qualify for higher rate mobility under the special rules for the terminally ill; or Have previously been awarded an indefinite award of the higher rate mobility component of DLA, which was terminated as part of a PIP assessment; or Previously received a fixed-term award of the higher rate of DLA mobility component, have not scored the necessary number of points to qualify under the PIP system, but have requested a mandatory reconsideration of that decision within the last year. Qualifying under the ‘assessed route’ Even if they do not qualify automatically your child may still qualify under ‘the assessed route’. This means that the local authority carries out an assessment of your child’s needs. Your child should qualify by this route if the local authority decides that one of the following applies: They are aged two or over with a ‘permanent and substantial difficulty that causes an inability to walk or great difficulty in walking’; or They drive regularly but, due to a severe disability in both arms, have great difficulties using all parking meters. A temporary disability means they are virtually unable to walk for a period of between one and three years; or A diagnosed mental disorder means they lack awareness of traffic dangers, either for a temporary period of at least 12 months or permanently. They are under three and their specific medical condition means they either: Need to be near a vehicle at all times in case they need treatment; or Always need to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment. Bulky medical equipment includes: Ventilators. Suction machines. Feed pumps. Parenteral equipment. Syringe drivers. Oxygen administration and saturation monitoring equipment. Casts and associated equipment for the correction of hip dysplasia. How do I apply for a Blue Badge? Whether your child qualifies automatically or they go down the assessed route, you apply for a Blue Badge at gov.uk. Blue Badge rules in Wales Who is automatically eligible for a Blue Badge? Your child will qualify for a Blue Badge automatically if they are aged two or over and they: Get the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the higher rate; or Are registered blind; or Score eight points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of Personal Independence Payment (PIP); or Score 12 points under the ‘planning and following a journey’ activity of PIP. Qualifying under the ‘assessed route’ Even if your child doesn’t qualify automatically, they may still qualify under ‘the assessed route’. This means that the local authority carries out an assessment of your child’s needs. Your child should qualify by this route if the local authority decides that one of the following applies: They are aged two or over with a ‘permanent and substantial difficulty that causes an inability to walk or great difficulty in walking’; or They drive regularly but, due to a severe disability in both arms, have great difficulties using all parking meters. They are unable to follow the route of a journey without help because of a severe cognitive impairment; or They a terminal illness that seriously limits their mobility; or They are recovering from, or awaiting, treatment for a serious illness or injury. (This allows a temporary Blue Badge for 12 months only). They are under three and their specific medical condition means they either: Need to be near a vehicle at all times in case they need treatment; or Always need to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment. Bulky medical equipment includes: Ventilators. Suction machines. Feed pumps. Parenteral equipment. Syringe drivers. Oxygen administration and saturation monitoring equipment. Casts and associated equipment for the correction of hip dysplasia. How do I apply for a Blue Badge? Whether your child qualifies automatically or they go down the assessed route, you apply for a Blue Badge at gov.uk. Our out & about collectionVisit our Fledglings shop for products to make life easier for days on-the-go. Shop now Related information Parent guides and factsheets Parent guide: Services and support from your local authority – England Download now Transport & leisure discounts Information about help with parking, getting a car, paying road tax and rail and bus travel, as well as advice on saving… Read more Transport to school and college Read more ShareCopy URLCopied!Share via EmailShare via FacebookShare via TwitterShare via WhatsAppShare via LinkedIn
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