Blue Badge Disabled Parking Permits
Some disabled children qualify for a Blue Badge. If your child has a Blue Badge, this allows you to park close to where you need to go - by accessing disabled parking spaces for example. What is the Blue Badge? Blue Badge permit holders are allowed to park closer to their destination, for example in designated parking spaces. The Blue Badge is linked to the disabled person rather than a particular vehicle, so you can use the Blue Badge in any car so long as the badge holder is either a passenger or driver. Blue Badge holders can also ask for a disabled parking space near their home. Usually this would be free but local councils can have different rules about how can apply for one. Although the scheme applies throughout the UK, the rules about who qualifies are different in each of the nations. You need to apply by contacting your local authority and there may be a small administrative charge. Score ten points under the “planning and following a journey” activity of Personal Independence Payment, because they “are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant”. You must score 10 points specifically for this reason. If you score 10 (or 12 points) for another reason - for example you need someone to accompany you outdoors - you will not qualify automatically, although you may qualify under the assessed route instead. Even if your child doesn’t qualify automatically, they may still qualify under ‘the assessed route’. This means that the local authority carries out an assessment of your child’s needs. You will need to complete a Blue Badge application form, and the local authority are also likely to want information from health or social care professionals who know your child.
The Blue Badge (disabled parking permit) scheme runs throughout the UK. It gives you additional parking rights if you have mobility problems or if you find it difficult to use the public transport. It can also make it easier for you to park close to your destination. The Department for Transport made significant changes to the Blue Badge scheme for applications made after August 2019. You can now apply for a Blue Badge even if you have a hidden disability such as autism. Your eligibility for a Blue Badge depends on the benefits you receive or your condition. It may or may not require further assessment to establish your eligibility. You may be eligible for a Blue Badge without any further assessment if you are more than two years old and any of the following circumstances apply to you. You may be eligible for a Blue Badge subject to further assessment if you are more than two years old and any of the following circumstances apply to you.
You are certified by an expert assessor to have an enduring and substantial disability that will last for at least three years. The difficulty whilst walking could be because of a physical disability or a non-physical disability. You can only apply for a Blue Badge online. If you are unable to apply online, you can ask your family member to apply on your behalf or you can make an assisted application at our customer services drop-in centre. You will need to complete the online form whether you are applying for the first time or re-applying for a Blue Badge. A Blue Badge costs £10. There are other websites offering help to apply for your Blue Badge but they may charge extra for this service. To avoid paying extra, apply via the online form below. We will review your application and update you on the outcome within five working days. We will send you a payment link if we approve your application.
Once you have paid, you should receive your badge within 12 working days. The whole process may take up to six weeks depending on the complexity of your application. You should not hold more than one valid Blue Badge at any given time or share your Blue Badge with anyone else. You can check the rights and responsibilities of a Blue Badge holder on the Government website. You can use your Blue Badge anywhere in the UK until it expires. You can use also your Blue Badge throughout the European Union (EU), but the terms may vary between countries. Check EU Blue Badge rules before you go. You need to apply for a new Blue Badge about eight weeks before your current Blue Badge expires. This is to make sure that you get your new badge in time. If you have moved out of Swindon, you cannot apply for your new Blue Badge with us. Instead, you need to apply for a new Blue Badge with the council where you live.
To read the handicapped parking rules follow the link provided.
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