Thousands of disabled people could automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if they receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP), but many may not realise the number of points needed to be eligible. A Blue Badge allows people with disabilities or health conditions to park closer to where they need to go, making everyday journeys easier. It can be used whether the badge holder is the driver or a passenger and is issued by local councils.
Current Blue Badge Holders and Eligibility Criteria
There are currently more than 235,700 Blue Badge holders living in Scotland and in many cases, people will automatically qualify for the £20 parking permit. An estimated three million people also benefit from the scheme in England and Wales. For people receiving PIP or ADP, automatic eligibility depends on the score awarded for certain mobility activities.
You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you receive Adult Disability Payment and have: 8 points or more in the 'moving around' activity; 12 points in the 'planning and following a journey' activity; or the enhanced rate of the mobility component under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness. People receiving PIP automatically qualify if they: scored 8 points or more in the 'moving around' activity; scored 12 points in the 'planning and following a journey' activity; or previously received the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) on an indefinite or lifetime basis. People also automatically qualify if they are appealing a PIP decision and previously received the higher rate mobility component of DLA.
Other Automatic Qualifiers
Automatic eligibility is not limited to PIP and ADP claimants. People also automatically qualify if they receive: the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA); the higher rate mobility component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance; the higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment; or War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement. People who received a lump sum payment under tariffs 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability also automatically qualify.
There are also automatic routes for people with severe sight loss. Children under 16 can qualify if they have a letter confirming their eligibility from their visual impairment care team, while anyone aged 16 or over who is registered or certified as severely sight impaired also automatically qualifies. People diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) can also receive support with a Blue Badge application through their specialist nurse.
Applying Without Automatic Eligibility
However, failing to meet the automatic eligibility rules does not necessarily mean someone cannot get a Blue Badge. People with a disability or long-term health condition that affects their mobility can still apply. Their local council may ask for further evidence about their condition or arrange a mobility assessment before deciding whether to issue a badge.
If you are not automatically eligible, you may be able to get a Blue Badge under certain circumstances if you: have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you cannot walk at all; have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you're virtually unable to walk; regularly drive and cannot use parking meters because of a severe disability in both arms; are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who needs to be kept close to a vehicle for medical treatment; are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who uses bulky medical equipment that cannot be carried around; or have a mental health condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic when making journeys.
Cost and Renewal
In Scotland, local authorities charge £20 for a Blue Badge. It is normally valid for three years and does not renew automatically, so anyone who still needs one should reapply around 12 weeks before it expires. Full details on Blue Badge eligibility and making a claim can be found on MYGOV.SCOT.
