The Blue Badge Service
Help with parking for people with a severe mobility problems
You are now able to apply for your Blue Badge online at http://bluebadge.direct.gov.uk
NATIONAL BLUE BADGE SCHEME CHANGES MEAN CHANGES TO APPLICATION FEE
Government reforms introduced on 1st January 2012, aimed at preventing fraud and misuse of the Blue Badge Scheme operated by Local Authorities, introduced a new-style Blue Badge, which includes a digital photo and hologram, making it easier to ensure the badge is being appropriately used by the person it is issued to.
Whilst schemes will continue to be run on a local basis, the new-style badge will be purchased by Local Authorities from a national provider appointed by the Government, who will also despatch them direct to approved applicants, once notification of approval is provided by the relevant Local Authority.
Whilst every effort has been made to absorb the increased costs of the improved security measures, many Local Authorities have had to increase registration fees. In the case of Birmingham City Council, where the fee of £2.00 has not increased since 1983, entitling approved users, in the majority of cases, to free parking for a period of up to 3 years.
New applications and existing badges expiring prior to the 1st August 2012 will pay the current £2.00 fee. New applications and badges expiring from 1st August will pay the new £10.00 fee to offset the administration costs and contribute towards the purchase of the new-style badge from the approved external provider.
Blue Badge update - 6 July 2012
Due to the high demand being made on the Blue Badge Service and the implementation of a new adminstration system some applications are taking longer to process.
If you have submitted you application for a Blue Badge less than eight weeks ago, please do not ring the Adults and Communities Access Point service (ACAP) to seek an update, we will contact you once we have assessed your application. If you have sent in your form more than eight weeks ago, we are in the process of actioning these and will contact you.
If you have already sent all the paperwork, and have received your approval for a badge and have made the necessary payment, we are in the process of ordering the badge. If it is more than eight weeks since your payment then please do contact the ACAP office, or alternatively email us at ACAP@birmingham.gov.uk, putting in the subject heading 'Urgent Blue Badge '
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
The Blue Badge scheme
The Blue Badge is provided under a national scheme and offers parking discounts for people who have serious walking disabilities. The scheme can provide help to people who find it difficult to use community facilities because of the distance they might have to walk. In Birmingham, Blue Badges are issued by the Blue Badge team, which is part of our Adults and Communities Access Point (ACAP).
This page tells you:
Who can get a Blue Badge?
Adults of any age and children aged three years and over can get a Blue Badge.
To qualify you must live in Birmingham and meet one of the following conditions.
- You must receive the higher-rate mobility part of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- You must be a registered as severely sight impaired (blind).
- You must receive a war pensioners’ mobility supplement.
- You must receive an Armed forces Compensation Scheme award.
People who have difficulty walking
You may also qualify for a Blue Badge based on the following.
- You must find walking very difficult.
- You must be a regular driver of a vehicle but unable to turn the steering wheel by hand because of very serious arm or hand disabilities.
To qualify for a Blue Badge your walking difficulty should normally have a specific cause. There is, however, no set list of conditions we use and it is important that we consider the circumstances of each person and look at the effect their condition has on their ability to walk.
Please note that depending on the criteria under which you are applying, you may be asked to undergo an indpendent mobility assessment.
Children under three years old
A parent of a child who is less than three years old may apply for a badge for their child if the child has a specific medical condition that means that the child:
- must always be accompanied by medical equipment
and
- needs to be kept near a vehicle at all times, so that they can, if needed, be treated in the vehicle, or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated.
Organisations
Organisations that provide transport for people with a disability and who would meet one or more of the above conditions may also qualify for a Blue Badge.
We will make the final decision on each application.
What standards you can expect
We want to provide a high-quality service to everyone who applies and to those who already have a badge. We will do the following.
- Send out an application form within 24 hours of you asking for one.
- Let you know as soon as possible if you qualify for a Blue Badge.
Is there a charge?
You will need to pay the £10 fee when you have been given confirmation of approval of your application.
How to apply for a Blue Badge
The Blue Badge scheme is administered by Birmingham City Council. If you wish to apply for a Blue Badge you can apply online at: bluebadge.direct.gov.uk
or contact:
Adults and Communities Access Point (ACAP)
- phone: 0121 303 1234
- email: ACAP@birmingham.gov.uk
- If your application for a Blue Badge is successful you will be required to pay the £10 fee.
- You can get more information and application forms from OPAS on 0121 303 1234.
Reporting abuse or misuse of a Blue BadgeIf you think that someone is abusing or misusing a Blue Badge, for example by using a badge that doesn't belong to them, please let us know by completing our online form. For more information about our campaign, with Coventry City Council, to cut down on misuse of Blue Badges, please click on this link to the Respect the Badge poster. Back to the top |
Changes to the Blue Badge scheme
The Government announced on 14 February 2011 a major programme of reforms to the Blue Badge scheme. The reform programme has been developed in consultation with disabled people, local authorities and other stakeholders and on the basis of research and economic analysis.
On 17 June 2011 the blue badge eligibility criteria was extended nationally to more disabled children between the ages of 2 and 3. Continuous automatic entitlement was also extended to certain disabled service personnel and veterans.
From the 1 January 2012 other changes to the blue badge scheme will be implemented. Birmingham post offices will no longer be able to issue Blue Badges after the 31 December 2011. Here are some changes that will affect everyone nationally:
- All new Blue Badges will be printed and supplied by one company.
- There will be a new, harder to forge, badge design
- There will be a new on-line application process.
- Local authorities will have to pay a fee for each Blue Badge of £4.60 (excluding VAT).
- The Department for Transport plans to increase the maximum fee that local authorities can charge users for their Blue Car Badge from £2 to £10. This is the first increase since 1983.
The Department for Transports website has more information on the Blue Badge reform including the Department for Transports equalities impact assessment and answers to some frequently asked questions.
Updated information about the changes being made to the blue badge scheme nationally and the blue badge itself can be found in a new Frequently asked Questions page. Information on this page was written by the Department for Transport in November 2011.
Renewing your Blue Badge
For those who wish to renew their existing Blue Badge, you will need to complete a new application form as these will be assessed under the new Government Reform process.
Any requests in writing should be sent to :
Birmingham City Council
Blue Badge Office
PSS
PO Box 16362
Birmingham
B2 2YT
Frequently asked questions
How do I report misuse of a Blue Badge?
If you suspect someone is misusing a Blue Badge then you can report it here.
Phone: 0121 303 7613
Email: parking@birmingham.gov.uk
How do I apply for a Disabled Parking Bay outside my Home?
To apply for a disabled parking bay outside your home you need to complete a request form, click here.
Phone: 0121 303 6644
Email: contact@birmingham.gov.uk
How do I apply for a Road Tax concession?
If you have a disability and want to apply for a Road Tax concession click here.
How do I apply for a concessionary Travel Pass for the Disabled?
If you have a disability and want to apply for a Network West Midlands concessionary travel pass click here.
Phone: 0845 303 6760
How do I apply for an Older Persons Travel Pass?
To apply for a Network West Midlands senior travel pass click here.
Phone: 0845 303 6760
I have received a parking ticket, who do I contact?
To view, pay or challenge a penalty charge notice (PCN) click here.
Pay by phone: Please ring 0845 260 2700 (open 24 hours a day). When making a credit or debit card payment by phone, please have the vehicle details and the PCN number ready.
Other pages
Misuse of Blue Badges reporting form
Parking For Blue Badge Holders
Services for adults with a physical disability
Frequently asked Questions page
Other websites
Blue Badge Scheme page on the Department for Transport website
Leaflets and documents
If you would like any of our leaflets, forms or other documents in another language, in Braille, in large print or on audio tape, MP3 or CD, please phone the Adults and Communities Directorate Communications team on 0121 464 3123. All our adult social care leaflets, forms and documents are free in any format.
Respect the badge Blue Badge misuse poster