Frequently asked questions

• Why has the Blue Badge scheme changed?
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  From 1 January 2012 the scheme changed to:

  • help ensure that people with severe mobility difficulties are treated fairly and consistently when they are being assessed for a Blue Badge
  • respond to increasing demand for Blue Badges and pressures to extend the scheme to other groups of disabled people, including the Armed Forces
  • reduce the current high levels of abuse and misuse by introducing a new style badge that is harder to copy, forge or alter
  • introduce a national database which maintains the details of Blue Badge holders and provides the opportunity for greater levels of enforcement.

  
  

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• Who automatically qualifies for a Blue Badge?
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  Anyone over two years old automatically qualifies for a Blue Badge if they:

  • are registered severely sight impaired (blind)
  • receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
  • receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
  • have received a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme within tariff levels 1-8 (inclusive) and have been assessed and certified by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

  
  

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• What other eligibility criteria qualifies for a Blue Badge?
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  Anyone over two years old may be eligible for a Blue Badge, if they either:

  • have a permanent and substantial disability which means they cannot walk, or makes walking very difficult
  • drive a motor vehicle regularly and have a severe disability in both arms, making it very difficult or impossible to operate parking meters.

  
  

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• I already have a Blue Badge. What will happen when it is time to renew it?
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  You will be sent an application pack, approximately twelve weeks before the expiry date. The pack will contain a covering letter, an application form and a set of guidance notes to help you complete the application form correctly. For current badge holders this will be a change from previous years. All applications for a Blue Badge will follow the same process.

  
  

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• How long will it take to process my application?
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  This depends on the information provided by the applicant and whether, as part of the assessment process, you are required to attend an Independent Mobility Assessment. For those eligible for a badge, most will receive it within 8 weeks from the day we receive a fully complete application.

  
  

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• Can I appeal the decision if my application for a Blue Badge is declined?
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  Yes. West Sussex County Council has an appeals process which is clear, straightforward and fair, and is not in itself a deterrent to applying for a badge. In addition, the appeal procedure is clearly signposted to unsuccessful applicants in their decision letter.

  
  

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• Will there be changes to the Blue Badge fee?
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  Yes. The fee is £10.00.

  This covers some of the administration costs, the costs associated with the new style badge, which is harder to copy, forge or alter, and the local costs for linking to the national database.

  
  

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• How long is a Blue Badge allocated for?
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  Generally a badge is issued for a three-year period although in some circumstances this can be less. The expiry date will be clearly stated on the badge.

  
  

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• Why is a GP medical report no longer used as part of the application process?
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  The County Council has stopped using GP medical reports for the following reasons:

  • Health professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists are carrying out the assessments on behalf of WSCC. Their professional and specialist knowledge allows them to fully assess an applicant's mobility as part of the eligibility assessment for a badge. They also have a greater degree of independence, which is necessary for fair and impartial decisions on whether someone should be issued with a Blue Badge.
  • From April 2011 the Government transferred funding from the NHS to all councils that issue Blue Badges to use the money to fund Independent Mobility Assessments. Previously this money was used to fund medical reports from GPs.

  
  

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• Can I request a GP medical report of my own and include it in my application?
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  While WSCC cannot prevent you from approaching your GP for a report, it is worth noting that:

  • your GP can refuse your request, and if they do agree you will have to pay for it
  • you may still be required to attend an Independent Mobility Assessment so that your mobility can be objectively assessed.

  
  

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• Will I have to pay for the Independent Mobility Assessment?
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  No. The assessment is free of charge.

  
  

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• Do I need to bring anything to the Independent Mobility Assessment?
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  Yes. You will need to bring some form of identification and a list of medication that you are taking, as this could be useful (you do not need to bring the medication itself).

  
  

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• Can I purchase and use my own wallet in which to display my Blue Badge?
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  You may purchase and use your own wallet to display your badge but please note that the new style badge issued from January 2012 may not fit all wallets on the market. Please also note that some plastic wallets on the market can damage the hologram on the new security style badge if exposed to high temperatures

  
  

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• I have lost my Blue Badge. How can I get it replaced and will it cost me anything?
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  You should advise the Police that your badge has been lost and obtain a crime number. If the badge was issued before 1 January 2012 you will need to complete an application form under the new arrangements. You will need to satisfy the new eligibility criteria to be issued with a new style badge and a £10.00 fee will be payable.

  If the badge was issued after 1 January 2012 you will need to contact us to let us know the crime number so we can update the national database to prevent fraudulent use. You will be issued with a replacement.

  
  

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• I have changed my address recently/my badge has been damaged and needs replacing. What should I do?
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  Please notify, in writing, the authority that issued your Blue Badge.
  If you are a West Sussex resident please write to:

  Blue Badge PO Box 859 Bognor Regis PO21 9HT

  
  

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• I am new to the area and my Blue Badge is due for renewal. What should I do?
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  You will need to follow the application process found in the section:
  How do I apply for a Blue Badge.

  
  

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• A relative/friend has died and I have their Blue Badge. Can I keep it?
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  No. You need to return the Blue Badge to the address below to allow the national database to be updated and the badge cancelled.

  Blue Badge PO Box 859 Bognor Regis PO21 9HT

  
  

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• I have found a Blue Badge. What should I do with it?
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  Please return it to the following address:

  Blue Badge PO Box 859 Bognor Regis PO21 9HT

  
  

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• Can my relative/friend use my Blue Badge when I am not in the car?
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  The Blue Badge is provided for the benefit of the badge holder. In most circumstances the badge holder will be in the vehicle when it is being used.

  However, if you are being dropped off or collected from somewhere by a relative, they may use it to park where and when you are being dropped off.

  • You cannot allow other people to use the badge to do something on your behalf, such as shopping or collecting something for you, unless you are travelling with them.
  • You must never give the badge to friends or family to allow them to park for free, even if they are visiting you.
  • It is a criminal offence to misuse a badge. This includes people other than the badge holder taking advantage of the parking concessions provided under the scheme.

  
  It is a criminal offence for you or anyone else to misuse the badge, and doing so could lead to a £1,000 fine.

  
  

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• What will you do about people using a Blue Badge who don't appear to be disabled?
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  • Our civil enforcement officers rigorously check the use of Blue Badges and will challenge individuals if they believe they may not be the badge holder.
  • Any misuse of a badge is reported to the central department who manage the Blue Badge scheme and will result in the badge being withdrawn.
  • The new procedures for application and assessment will prevent a Blue Badge from being issued to anyone who is not eligible for one.

  
  

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• I believe someone is fraudulently using a Blue Badge. How can I report them?
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  You need to summarise this in writing to enable us to undertake an investigation. It would help if you can provide the Blue Badge serial number. You should send this to the postal address above or you can send an email to:

  Email: blue.badges@westsussex.gov.uk

  
  

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More information about medical conditions, disabilities and driving can be found on the GOV.UK website.

The national campaigning charity 'Disabled Motoring UK' also provides independent advice and information to disabled people on their website.

Supporting document

• Blue Badge guide (PDF, 15 pages, 1.4MB)
  
   

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