The Blue Badge Scheme - Parking Badges for Disabled
People
The Blue Badge scheme (parking badges for disabled people)
provides parking concessions both nationally and in Europe, for
people with a PERMANENT and
SUBSTANTIAL disability, whether the person is the
driver or the passenger.
This page contains guidance on how to apply for a Blue Badge in
Worcestershire. Please read the information below carefully as it
explains who can apply for a badge and how it should be used.
If you wish to proceed and apply for a Blue Badge,
you can print off the application
form , (also available in large
text format , along with the guidance
notes , fill it in and take it to your local
Worcestershire Hub Customer Service Centre. If you are an
Organisation wishing to apply for a Blue Badge on behalf of the
customers that you will be transporting, you will need to complete
the
Organisational application form,
along with the guidance
notes.
Please read this information carefully. It provides information
on how to complete the form, gives details about who can apply for
a parking badge and sets out the standard of service you should
receive.
If, having read this information, you have an enquiry in
relation to this scheme, please contact your local Customer Service
Centre:
Bromsgrove District Customer Service
Centre
Adjacent to the Dolphin Centre
School Drive
Bromsgrove
B60 1AY
Tel: 01527 881288
Pershore One Stop Shop
Civic Centre
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore
WR10 1PT
Tel: 01386 565000
Droitwich Community Contact
Centre
44, High Street
Droitwich Spa
Worcestershire
WR9 8ES
Tel: 01386 565000
Redditch One Stop Shop
Town Hall
Walter Stranz Square
Redditch
B98 8AH
Tel: 01527 534123
Evesham Community Contact Centre
Abbey Road
Evesham
Worcestershire
WR11 4SB
Tel: 01386 565000
Worcester Customer Service Centre
Orchard House
Farrier Street
Worcester
WR1 3BB
Tel: 01905 722233
Malvern Hills Customer Service Centre
The Library
Graham Road
Malvern
WR14 2HU
Tel: 01684 862151
Wyre Forest Customer Service Centre
Kidderminster Town Hall
Vicar Street
Kidderminster
Worcs
DY10 1DB
Tel - 01562 732928
All Customer Service Centres will also be pleased to
help you complete applications forms if you would
prefer.
The District Council have the responsibility to decide if you
are eligible to be issued with a badge. There is no right of
appeal, but if you are dissatisfied with the manner in which your
application has been handled please put your complaint in writing
to the centre you received your badge.
ELIGIBILITY
We are required to view each application, including those from
the current badge holders as a first enquiry.
Automatic Qualification
If you supply evidence that you meet the one of the following
criteria you will be automatically eligible for a Blue Badge.
- If you are registered blind.
- If you are receiving the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the
Disability Living Allowance.
- If you receive a War Pensioner's mobility
supplement.
- If your vehicle is funded by the Department of Work and Pension
(DWP) via the Motability Scheme.
Individuals that are applying under the Higher Rate Mobility
Component of the Disability Living Allowance of the War Pensioners
Mobility Supplement who have been awarded the Allowance for less
than three years will receive a badge for the period for which the
Allowance has been awarded.
Discretionary Qualification
You may also qualify for a Blue Badge if you
meet all of the following criteria:
- If your disability is permanent.
- If your disability is substantial and means your are unable to
walk or you experience very considerable
difficulty in walking.
or
- If you drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in
both arms and are unable to operate, or have considerable
difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter.
- For children under two years of age:
- If the child has a condition that requires that they must
always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be
carried around with the child without great difficulty;
And / or
- If the child has a condition that requires that they must
always be kept near a motor vehicle so that they can, if necessary,
be treated for that condition in the vehicle or be taken quickly in
the vehicle to a place where they can be treated.
You will not qualify if: -
- You do not meet the above criteria.
- You have a temporary disability, such as, a broken leg or
awaiting a hip replacement etc.
- You experience a psychological disorder that does not cause you
severe discomfort.
- You only experience walking problems when carrying objects,
such as shopping.
- Your condition does not continuously severely
limit your ability to walk.
For example, some people have days when they are able to walk
better than others.
HELP US TO HELP YOU
In order for us to process your application quickly you must:
-
- Provide evidence of eligibility if applying under the automatic
criteria.
- Provide supporting evidence if applying under the discretionary
criteria.
PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST EVIDENCE FROM YOUR GP. IF YOU HAVE
PROBLEMS SUPPLYING WRITTEN EVIDENCE PLEASE VISIT
YOUR LOCAL CENTRE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
- Complete the form carefully, giving all the details
requested.
- Sign and date the declaration.
- Enclose a cheque/postal order for £2 or £2 cash made payable to
the
District/Borough Council you are applying to.
- Enclose two recent passport type photographs and sign both of
them on the back. If necessary photographs can be taken in the
Customer Centre for £2.00.
Please note – your payment and photographs will NOT be
returned to you if your application is unsuccessful.
Renewal Applications:
A Blue Badge is issued every three years except in the case of
children under the age of two or if your allowance has been awarded
for a period of less than 3 years. It is your responsibility to
contact the Customer Centre should you wish to reapply. A reminder
will not be sent.
You must ensure that you re-apply to your local Customer Centre,
prior to the expiry date of your current badge. Provided you still
meet the eligibility criteria, your new badge will be issued to
you.
Once expired, the old badge should be returned to the Customer
Centre who issued the badge.
Lost Badges should be treated as a new
application.
Use of Badges:
- You are responsible for ensuring that you use your badge
correctly
- The badge belongs to the person in whose name it is
issued.
- The badge must only be displayed in an empty, stationary
vehicle.
You cannot use your Blue Badge everywhere.
- The scheme does not automatically apply in off street car
parks, although many provide designated spaces, and may not apply
in certain town centres, where access is limited.
- You must not park during the period a ban on
loading or unloading is in force, and should look out for yellow
stripes on the kerb and refer to the information plates
nearby.
- You must not park where it could be
obstructive or cause a danger for others.
- You must observe the time limit of three hours
parking.
- You must not allow others to use your
badge.
Abuse of a Blue Badge could result in it being
withdrawn. In addition, it is a criminal offence for a non-disabled
person to use a disabled persons car badge. It is your
responsibility to make sure that you are aware of the regulations
and use your badge correctly.
RETURN OF BADGES
Parking Badges for the Disabled are non-transferrable and must
be returned to the District Customer Centre if they are no longer
required
Click here for Blue Badge Scheme
FAQ's
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Get in touch with our Contact Centre:
Call: 0845 607 2000 or Email: mailto:socialservices@worcestershire.gov.uk
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