Apply for a Blue Badge

A Blue Badge can help people with disabilities or health problems park nearer to where they need to go.  

You can apply for a badge for yourself or for someone else

Who can get a Blue Badge  

You’re automatically eligible if: 

  • you get the higher rate of the mobility part of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) 
  • you get a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can't walk more than 50 meters 
  • you’re registered blind  
  • you get a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement 
  • you got a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme. You have a permanent and serious disability that makes walking hard for you 
  • you get the mobility part of PIP with 10 points for ‘planning and following journeys’ because traveling causes you extreme stress. 

You may get a badge if:

  • you cannot walk at all 
  • you cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids 
  • you find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes 
  • walking is dangerous for your health and safety 
  • you have a life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form 
  • you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines 
  • you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment 
  • you have a child under the age of 3 with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment 
  • you’re constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks 
  • you struggle severely to plan or follow a journey 
  • you find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others 
  • you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control 
  • you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public and open spaces 

Cost 

A Blue Badge costs £10. 

The form will ask you to pay online when you submit your application. 

What you’ll need 

  • your contact details 
  • your National Insurance number (if you have one) 
  • details of your current Blue Badge (if you’re renewing) 
  • your driving licence number (if you have one) 
  • a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders 
  • proof of identity such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence 
  • proof of address such as a Council Tax bill or government letter 
  • proof of benefits if you get any  
  • proof of terminal illness, such as an SR1 form or letter from a doctor 
  • proof of your health or mobility problems (if you do not qualify automatically) 

You’ll be asked to upload your documents and photo when you apply.  

How to apply or renew 

It may take 30 to 40 minutes to complete the form. You can save and return to your application if you need to.The application is completed on the GOV.UK website.

 Apply for a Blue Badge 

What happens next 

You’ll get a confirmation email to let you know the application has been submitted successfully. 

We’ll usually make a decision within 12 weeks. We cannot start the process until we have all your evidence. 

If your application is approved 

Your badge will arrive in the post. You’ll get a booklet that explains the general rules of use.  

If your application is refused

We can tell you why you’re not eligible for a Blue Badge.  

You can ask us to reconsider our decision. The decision letter from the council will tell you how to ask for a review and what the time limit is. 

You can also reapply if your mobility problems become more serious. 

Using your blue badge  

The Blue Badge can only be used by the person who it’s issued to. You can use the badge in any car that you are driving or a passenger in. 

You must display the badge on the dashboard, where it is clearly visible through the windscreen. 

If you park somewhere with a time limit, you need to set the parking time clock on your blue badge to show the 15 minute period that you arrived.  

Find out more about how to use your Blue Badge on GOV.UK 

Change of detail or circumstance 

You can report changes to your name, address, contact details, eligibility or any other information related to your badge.  

Email redbridge.blue.badge@necsws.com 

Lost or stolen Blue Badge 

If your Blue Badge has been lost or stolen you must tell us immediately. 

You’ll need to pay £10 for a replacement badge. 

To replace the Blue Badge you’ll need: 

  • your personal details 
  • your National Insurance number, if you have one 
  • the existing badge number, if you know it 

If the badge has been stolen you will also need a crime reference number. 

Request a replacement badge  

If you are unable to complete the form call 020 7520 7205 

Return a blue badge 

You must return a Blue Badge if: 

  • the badge expires 
  • you no longer need the badge 
  • you have received a replacement badge because the original was lost, damaged or stolen 
  • the badge holder dies 

Post the badge to: 

Lynton House 

255-259 High Rd, 

Ilford 

IG1 1NY