Apply for or renew a Blue Badge

We will assess your application and, if you qualify for a pass, your Blue Badge will be posted directly to you.

Eligibility

The Blue Badge scheme is available to eligible disabled people irrespective of whether they travel in a vehicle as a driver or passenger.

You may qualify if you:

• Have an enduring and substantial disability which causes you, during the course of a journey to be unable to walk
• Are registered blind

Children aged under three years with certain medical conditions, and drivers with severe disability in both arms, may also qualify.

For full details, view the eligibility criteria.

Mobility assessment

Most applicants will need to attend an appointment with an expert assessor in order to have their eligibility for the scheme assessed.

This will take place at the Supported Travel office at 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ.

The assessment will last approximately 30 minutes and will involve a discussion with the occupational therapist about your mobility difficulties, followed by a short walking assessment.

Proofs

For each application you will need to submit proofs to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility criteria. The following proofs are suitable.

Photograph

All photos must be to passport standard. Photographs can be uploaded online. When sending your photo by post, make sure your name is written on the back.

The relevant proof of entitlement or medical evidence

You can use one of the following:

• A Disability Living Allowance award letter (dated within last 12 months)
• A Personal Independence Payments award letter (dated within last 12 months), including both the front page, and the page indicating your score
• A Service Personnel and Veterans Agency letter of entitlement
• Certificate of Visual Impairment or BD8
• Audiological report or report from an aural specialist
• Statement of Special Educational Needs
• Letter from DVLA
• Relevant medical evidence (for example, recent medical reports or letters from GPs, consultants or specialists)

If you do not automatically qualify, you can provide recent medical evidence of your health condition or disability to support your application, if you choose. This may help speed up your application.

Proof of residence

You must be a permanent resident of the borough in order to apply.

You can use one of the following (dated within the last three months):

• A residential utility bill (gas, electric, telephone, water), mobile phone bills are not suitable
• TV Licence/exemption
• Rent book or tenancy agreement
• Benefits/pension letter or book (for example, DLA or SPVA letter)
• Home contents insurance document
• Domiciliary care bill

Proof of identity

You can use one of the following:

• Valid driving licence (photo card)
• Passport/certificate of British nationality
• Birth/adoption certificate (with marriage or change of name certificate if your name is now different)
• Marriage/civil partnership/divorce/dissolution certificate
• HM Forces ID card

Cost

You will need to pay a £10 fee if your Blue Badge application is approved.

You can send us a cheque or postal order made payable to ‘LBRUT’ along with the other documents listed above. We will only cash the cheque or postal order if your application is approved.

You can also choose to pay by card over the phone, once your application has been approved.

Make your application

You can apply either:

• Online via GOV.UK
• By post

Equalities Act 2010: should you require a reasonable adjustment or assistance to complete an application for a Blue Badge, please call 020 8831 6096.

Applying by post

To make a paper application download our Blue Badge application pack.

• Application form
• Application letter

Return the completed application form with all the relevant documents to:

Supported Travel team
44 York Street
Twickenham
TW1 3BZ

Make sure you use the correct postage when sending in your application so it is not delayed. If you are unsure how much postage you require, have your envelope weighed at a Post Office.

If posting documentation please only send copies of the required proofs, not originals. If you send originals you will be responsible for collecting them from us.

Application outcome

We will contact you within eight weeks from when you submit your application to:

• Tell you your application has been successful
• Ask you to attend a mobility assessment, or
• Ask you to provide further documentation

Appeals

If you have been sent a letter explaining that your application for the scheme is refused, you can appeal, in writing, within 28 days of the date of the refusal letter.

Stage 1 appeal

When writing your appeal, you should include any information you believe supports your eligibility for the scheme. For example, further information about your mobility impairment, diagnosis, prognosis and medication may help. Additional medical evidence from your GP or relevant medical professional should be provided to support your appeal. This must be recent, reflect your current situation and be relevant to the eligibility criteria.

The Supported Travel team will acknowledge your appeal within five working days of receipt.

The Head of Parking Compliance will review the additional information provided against the scheme’s eligibility criteria. After considering your appeal the Head of Parking Compliance will either:

• Approve you for the service, and send you a confirmation letter, or
• Refuse the service and write to you giving the reason for refusal

Stage 2 appeal

The refusal letter will offer you the option to progress your appeal in writing to the Assistant Director of Resources should you feel that any issues remain that have not been addressed previously at the Stage 1 appeal.

Local Government Ombudsman

Once you have exhausted the appeals process, if you feel that we have not applied our policy in a correct manner you may bring this matter to the attention of the Local Government Ombudsman.

Subsequent applications

Applicants turned down for the scheme at initial application, Stage 1 appeal or Stage 2 appeal can apply again without prejudice six months after the date of the final decision notification.

Applicants turned down for the scheme who then become eligible through one of the automatic qualifying criteria within this six month period, can reapply with the relevant supporting documentation.

Renewals

Your Blue Badge should be renewed six to eight weeks before it expires.

You can renew online or contact us for a paper application form.

Contact

If you have any questions about the application, need help to apply, or would like a hard copy sent to you, contact us by:

Phone: 020 8831 6096
Email: accessibletransport@richmond.gov.uk