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A Blue Badge helps people with disabilities or health conditions. It lets you park closer to where you need to go. You can apply for a badge: (1) for yourself, (2) on behalf of somebody else, (3) or for an organisation that transports disabled people. You can apply online in: England, Scotland, and Wales. A Blue Badge costs £10 in England, £20 in Scotland and is free in Wales.
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Check if you qualify automatically
Check if you qualify automatically. Some people get a Blue Badge automatically. This happens if you get certain benefits (like higher-rate mobility benefits) or if you meet specific rules (for example, being registered severely sight impaired). Check your local council’s rules before you apply.
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Check if you qualify automatically
Some people get a Blue Badge automatically. This happens if you get certain benefits (like higher-rate mobility benefits) or if you meet specific rules (for example, being registered severely sight impaired). Check your local council’s rules before you apply.
You can still apply even if you don’t qualify automatically
If you do not qualify automatically, you can still apply. Use the “further assessment” route. Explain how your condition affects your walking or movement. Include any evidence you have. If you apply online on GOV.UK, you can “save and return” later. If online is hard, ask your council for help by phone or in person.
Tell them about your worst possible day
Describe your hardest days, not your good days. Say how often your bad days happen. Explain what your symptoms are like and how they stop you from moving around. Use “I” statements (for example: “I can only walk a few steps”). Be truthful and keep your answers the same across the form.
Be precise about walking distance and stopping
Say how far you can walk before you must stop. Say how long it takes you. Describe what happens (pain, breathlessness, tiredness, feeling unsteady). Use everyday landmarks to explain distance (for example: “from my front door to the car”).
Don’t overstate walking ability (no more than 20 metres)
If you cannot walk more than 20 metres safely, do not say that you can. Tell them if you need to stop, rest, or lean on something. Say how often you need to pause.
Tell them both emotionally and physically how you feel
Explain the physical effects (pain, fatigue, breathlessness). Explain the emotional effects too (anxiety, worry about falling, stress).
List your conditions, medications and aids you use
List all your diagnosed conditions. List your medications (add doses if you know them). Say what aids you use: wheelchair, stick, frame, orthotics, or support from another person. Say if you struggle to use any of these aids.
Include strong evidence (consultant letters help)
Attach recent medical letters if you have them. Good evidence includes consultant letters, GP notes, physio or OT reports, care plans and test results. You may also need to upload ID, proof of address, and a passport-style photo.
Keep copies and a symptom diary
Keep copies of everything you send, including evidence and photos. A short diary can help. Write down: (1) How far you walked, (2) how long before you stopped, (3) pain or tiredness levels and (4) what happened afterwards.
Get help if you need support—and know what happens next
You can get help from: (1) Your local council, (2) Citizens Advice and (3) Disability organisations. The council may ask for more evidence or invite you to a mobility assessment.Decisions can take several weeks. If your application is approved, a Blue Badge usually lasts up to three years.