Blue badge permit scheme for disabled parking

Automatic Qualification

You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you: 

• Are severely sight impaired  
• Receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance 
• Receive a War Pension Mobility Supplement
• Meet the 'Moving Around' descriptor for the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Receive an award under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation scheme

You'll need to provide evidence depending on which of the criteria you meet - you'll be asked for the relevant evidence during the application process.

Discretionary qualification

You may also qualify if you have a disability or medical condition which affects mobility. In most cases you'll need to have a mobility assessment.

You might be eligible if you:

• Are over the age of two and have a permanent and substantial disability which means that you're unable to walk
• Are over the age of two and have a permanent and substantial disability which means you have very considerable difficulty in walking
• Drive a vehicle regularly, and have a severe disability in both arms that means you're unable to or have considerable difficulty operating all or some types of parking meter 
• If you have a child under the age of three who has a medical condition that means they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
• If you have a child under the age of three who has a medical condition that means they must always kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment

You'll need to provide evidence about your condition and any treatments - you'll be asked for the relevant evidence during the application process.

Changes to eligibility from 30 August

People with hidden disabilities or non physical conditions  will be able to apply for a Blue Badge from 30 August 2019

You won't be able to apply under the new eligibility criteria until 30 August 2019. We're also not able to make comment on medical conditions and/or individual circumstances. 

In all applications we need:

• Proof of address dated within the last 12 months or consent for us to check the council tax register
• Proof of identity - We'll accept birth/adoption certificate, marriage/divorce certificate, civil partnership/dissolution certificate, valid driving licence or passport 
• A list of all your current medications and doses
• Your National Insurance Number
• A recent digital or signed photo
• Payment of £10 to cover administration

You can apply for or renew a blue badge online.

If you choose to upload the supporting evidence have the documentation scanned already as there is a time limit for completing the form online. You can also email or send the by post evidence.

When renewing can apply for up to 6 weeks before the expiry date on the badge.

If you move to Wokingham you should continue to use your existing badge until it expires. You must then apply to us to renew your badge as above

If you have any problems or need some help completing the application you can call us on 0118 974 6811 or email dpb@wokingham.gov.uk.

How long will it take?

Your blue badge will be posted out to you within 14 days of your successful application and submitting all your supporting evidence.

Requesting a review

If you're found to not be eligible we'll send you a letter explaining the reasons.

If you don't think the decision is correct, you can ask us to review it. We'll need:

• The request in writing within 20 working days of the initial decision - you can use the letter we sent you as a guide
• Any further evidence or information which you feel may be relevant to your case - this will allow us to have a full picture of your needs

Send the request and all additional information:

• By email to DPB@wokingham.gov.uk
• By post to Blue Badge Team, Customer Services, Wokingham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Wokingham, RG40 1BN

When we receive your request for a review we'll acknowledge receipt within 5 working days.

Outcome of the review

An occupational therapist (OT) will review all available  information against the Blue Badge eligibility criteria and make one of the following decisions:

• Approve the Blue Badge
• Refuse the Blue Badge
• Seek further assessment - you'll need to attend a mobility assessment which will be carried out by a different officer, however they will still use the same guidelines

If you feel we haven't applied the policy correctly, you can refer the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman.

A Blue Badge holder is responsible for the badge and must not let anyone else use it or photocopy it. If a Blue Badge is misused we can de-register it and the maximum penalty for incorrect use of the badge is a fine of £1000

We investigate all reports of misuse and work with Borough and District Council parking teams and if necessary, the police. We do not disclose details of ongoing investigations.

You can report misuse of a Blue Badge to us in confidence by emailing: dpb@wokingham.gov.uk

You can tell us when you register the death with our registrars and they will let the Blue Badge Team know. Go to the register a death page to find out more.

The Blue Badge must returned to us. you can do this:

• In person when you register the death
• By posting the badge to us at Blue Badge Team, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN

You can also let us know by emailing: dpb@wokingham.gov.uk.

You must not carry on using the Blue Badge.

If you your Blue Badge is lost, stolen, faded or damaged you can ask for a replacement

Lost Blue Badge

Please only report the loss of your badge after 28 days from the day it went missing.

If you do not find your badge after 28 days, we need to know the circumstances in which you lost it.

If you find it after you have told us please call us on 0118 974 6811.

Stolen Blue Badge

If your badge has been stolen you should report it to the police.

We need a Crime Reference Number from you before we can send you a replacement.

Faded or damaged Blue Badge

If your Blue Badge has faded or been damaged you can ask us for a replacement.

Before we can issue a new badge you’ll need to return the old badge to us by post or in person.

Report it to us

To report it to us use the:

• Report a lost, stolen faded or damaged Blue Badge (PDF document)
• Report a lost, stolen faded or damaged Blue Badge (Word document)