Blue Badge (Disabled Parking) Scheme

With effect from the 30/08/2019 the Blue Badge scheme has been extended so people with non-physical disabilities can now apply. Please see below for further information.
 

What is a non-physical disability?

Up until the 30 August 2019 only people with mobility issues have been eligible for a blue badge.  However, the legislation has now been extended to include those who have an enduring and substantial disability which means that they experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress, or be at risk of serious harm when walking; or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person.

This means that people with non-physical conditions such as such as asthma, autism, psychological/behavioural problems, Crohn’s disease/incontinent conditions, Myalgia Encephalomyelitis (ME) etc. may now qualify for a blue badge.  Prior to the extended criteria people with these types of condition may not have qualified for a blue badge if they did not have difficulties with walking.

Diagnosis of a non-physical disability will not, in itself, imply eligibility.  The assessment of eligibility will take into account the severity of psychological distress or harm to themselves or others when walking.

 

What is the Blue Badge Scheme?

 
The aim of the scheme is to help disabled people with severe mobility problems to access goods and services by allowing them to park close to their destination.  The scheme is open to eligible disabled people irrespective of whether they are travelling as a driver or as a passenger.
 
The scheme provides a national range of on-street parking concessions to Blue Badge holders.  It allows them to park without charge or time limit in otherwise restricted on-street parking environments, and allows them to park on yellow lines for up to 3 hours, unless loading is in place.
 
The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for the legislation that sets out the framework for the scheme and Local Authorities are responsible for day to day administration and enforcement of the scheme.  It is the responsibility of each local authority to ensure that badges are only issued to residents who satisfy one or more of the eligibility criteria set out in the legislation that governs the scheme.
 
Changes to the scheme have been made since initial implementation to ensure the scheme remains fit for purpose.  Further legislation was laid before Parliament on the 30 April 2019 which comes into force on the 30 August 2019.  This change to the scheme extends the eligibility criteria to include those people with non-physical disabilities.
 
In addition to the national range of on-street parking Tameside MBC allows badge holders to park for an extended period in pay and display car parks. This means you can purchase a pay and display ticket and then receive an extra hour of parking on top of the time you have paid for. You must display your Blue Badge as well as your pay and display ticket. There is no requirement to display your clock in pay and display car parks. You will need to check what other Local Authorities allow in their car parks.
Tameside Customer Services administers the scheme for Tameside residents on behalf of the Department for Transport .

For people who do not live in Tameside, please contact your local council. They should be able to help.

 

The Rules Surrounding Getting a Blue Badge

 

People who may qualify for a blue badge are:
 

• Those who drive a vehicle regularly have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty operating all or some types of parking meter.
• Children under the age of 3 may be eligible for a badge if they fall within either or both of the following descriptions: 
  • A child, who on account of a condition, must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried round with the child without great difficulty; 
  • A child, who on account of a condition, must always be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle or the child can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given.
• Those having an enduring and substantial disability which causes them, during the course of a journey, to
  • Be unable to walk; 
  • Experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress, or 
  • Be at risk of serious harm when walking; or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person;

 

Eligibility for a Blue Badge

Eligibility is considered in terms of being "eligible without further assessment" or "eligible subject to further assessment". 
You can get a badge without further assessment if you are more than two years old and fall within one or more of the following:

• You receive the higher rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
• You scored 8 points or more under the 'moving around' activity of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• You scored exactly 10 points under descriptor ‘E’ of the 'planning and following a journey' activity of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• You receive a War Pensioners' Mobility supplement
• You are registered blind or severely sight impaired  
• You receive a benefit under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified by the SPVA as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes either an inability or very considerable difficulty walking

If you believe you qualify under this criteria, you can apply on line here  or print off and complete this shorter application form  Please ensure you provide evidence of your qualifying benefit/condition in order for your application to be assessed.   

You can also get a badge subject to further assessment if:

• You are more than two years of age, have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk, or virtually unable to walk.
• You are a child less than three years old who, because of a specific medical condition, needs to travel with bulky medical equipment or needs to be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment. 
• You drive a motor vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms, and are unable to operate all or some types of parking meter (or would find it very difficult to operate them).
• You have a non-physical disability and experience very considerable difficulty  walking, very considerable psychological distress or be at risk of serious harm when walking or pose a risk of serious harm to any other person

If you are applying for a badge under any of the above 'subject to further assessment' categories you will need to complete the relevant sections on the application form. Please ensure you answer all the required questions and provide as much information as possible about any relevant medical conditions.

If you believe you qualify under this criteria, you can apply on line here  or print off and complete the full application form here  Please ensure you provide evidence of your condition/disability in order for your application to be assessed.

 

Organisational Blue Badges

An organisational badge may be issued to an organisation for use in a motor vehicle or vehicles when the vehicle or vehicles are to be used to carry disabled people who would themselves be eligible for a badge as specified in Section 4(2) of the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000
.
An ‘organisation’ is defined in the 2000 Regulations as meaning an organisation concerned with the care of disabled persons to which a disabled persons badge may be issued in accordance with section 21(4) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

To apply for an organisational blue badge please print, complete and return this form  to the address below.

 

Apply for a Blue Badge

OR:

• By printing out a Blue Badge Application Form and either hand in at Customer Services within Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne, or to any library during staffed hours or you can post your application to us at the address on the form. Please do not forget to sign your form, include 1 passport sized photograph and send in any photocopies of any documentary evidence that the form asks for. Missing documentation will delay your application.
• By calling Customer Services on 0161 342 8355 and ask them for an application form for a blue badge. 

 

Charges for a Blue Badge

Yes - the fee for a Blue Badge is £10.  You will only be charged if your application is successful.  

You can pay by cheque, postal order or by credit or debit card.

Cheques should be made payable to "Tameside MBC".   If you pay by cheque or postal order it will not be banked until the application is approved.  If your application is unsuccessful your cheque or postal order will be returned.

If you wish to pay by credit or debit card we will contact you by phone to take the payment once your application is approved.

 

How Long it will Take to Arrive 

An application can take up to 6 weeks from the date we receive your completed application form.  This can be longer if all the relevant information needed for us to make a decision is not supplied.

If you are applying for the first time once we have received your completed application form and assessed your application we will issue the badge within 28 days and contact you to arrange collection from Customer Services.

If you are renewing an existing badge we recommend you apply approximately 6 weeks before your badge expires to allow time for assessment of your application

As part of the assessment process you may be asked to attend an Independent Mobility Assessment with an Occupational Therapist if you are not in receipt of a qualifying Benefit.

 

How Long a Blue Badge Lasts For

Each Blue Badge can last for a maximum of 3 years. If you still need the badge after the expiry date you can apply for a new one.

Unfortunately, reminders are not sent out for badges that are due to expire.

You can renew an existing badge anytime from 12 weeks prior to your badge expiring; this will allow plenty of time for the assessment of your application.

 

Advisory Parking Bays 

 

 

Blue Badge Enquiries

If you have any questions regarding a blue badge, these enquiries can be made by telephone to the blue badge team on 0161 342 8355, at any library during staffed hours or via email to customer.services@tameside.gov.uk

Blue Badge applications can be made on line using the link above and any supporting documentation can be emailed to customer.services@tameside.gov.uk  please ensure any email you send includes the name and address of the applicant.

If you complete a paper application form, the form can be sent in the post to Blue Badge Team, Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6BH or it can be handed in at Customer Services in Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne or to any Library during staffed hours. 

 

Blue Badge Application

Blue Badge Application Form


For further information on the Blue Badge Scheme please contact: