Examples may include: This list is indicative only and is not intended to be exhaustive: all applications will need to be considered on their individual merits. Local authorities have discretion to charge a fee of up to 10 for an organisational or replacement badge. Other considerations such as difficulty in carrying parcels, luggage or problems getting in and out of vehicles are not to be taken into account. If this evidence is not available then it is recommended that the local authority accept a benefit award letter. Applications or renewals for Blue Badges must be made through the online system on the gov.uk website. WebGo to City and County of Swansea Council website You can only use this service to get information about the Blue Badge scheme from councils in England. Each applicant for an individual badge will be asked to supply a passport-size photograph to be scanned into the BBDS. Whilst an original assessment may have determined that they meet the criteria for a period of more than 12 months, consideration will need to be given to the applicants recovery or progress as well as anything else which could affect or change the original prognosis. on single and double yellow lines if it's safe to so and there are no loading restrictions. The applicant will need to provide healthcare professional evidence that, as a result of their permanent and substantial disability, they are unable to walk very far without experiencing severe difficulty. See regulation 8(3) of the 2000 regulations. Tackling Blue Badge fraud can be complicated and resource intensive. GOV.WALES uses cookies which are essential for the site to work. See regulation 9(1)(c) of the 2000 regulations. Removing expired badges from circulation will reduce fraud. any questions or problems you have after you get your badge. When you apply you will need to provide an original award letter from the Department of Work and Pensions which shows your entitlement for this benefit. Appropriate declarations need to be incorporated into the Blue Badge application form in order to enable applicants to give their permission to the local authority to access existing records. The badge is usually valid for 3 years. Applications made under the temporary eligibility category will need to be subject to a robust assessment process. WebThe Blue Badge scheme provides a national range of parking concessions to help people who are severely sight impaired, or permanently physically impaired, travel Non-essential cookies are also used to tailor and improve services. it has been stolen or forged or is being used by someone who is not the true holder). Your local council decides on the charge for a Blue Badge and you pay the money to them. The vast majority of prosecutions, 97%, were for people who used someone elses blue badge. The Welsh Government aims to use appropriate language in line with the social model. From six months and over a child can be placed in a Spica cast after surgery. WebThe Blue Badge scheme provides a national range of parking concessions to help people who are severely sight impaired, or permanently physically impaired, travel This process may be easier if local authorities work together to share information on lost and stolen badges in their area. The guidance will be subject to regular review. WebThe City and County of Swansea is a Council in Wales Here are some links which you may find useful. You receive War Pensioners Mobility Supplement. WebRequest a Blue Badge to replace one thats been lost, stolen or damaged. a person recovering from complex leg fractures sometimes managed with external fixators for periods well over a year; a person recovering from stroke or head injury that has impacted on their mobility; a person recovering from spinal trauma which impacts their mobility. However, there are certain exceptions as explained below: Where HRMCDLA, PIP or WPMS has been granted for a period of longer than three years, the badge can still only be issued for the standard three year period. Parking badges for people with impairments from countries outside the EU vary in design and it would be hard for local enforcement officers to verify their authenticity; inspection of a badge would be advisable where there is doubt. The provision of parking for disabled people is limited and if Blue Badges are issued to people who do not meet the criteria, that limited provision will be in greater demand. It may also be relevant to consider whether an applicant who is not using any form of walking aid at the time of their application could improve their walking ability, to the extent that they would no longer demonstrate very considerable difficulty in walking, through the correct use of such an aid. Once you apply, your local council will process your application. Recognition is voluntary, rather than mandatory, and so local authority enforcement officers can refuse to recognise an overseas badge if they have reasonable grounds to believe that it is fake or forged. Under no circumstances should anyone who does not satisfy at least one of the criteria receive a badge. If a person collects a badge in person from the local authority this can be an opportunity to highlight to the badge holder key facts pertinent to the use of the badge. Contact your local council if need help reapplying for a Blue Badge. This training covers the following topics: The Disabled Persons Parking Badges Act 2013 (the 2013 Act) supported by the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 provides local authorities with further powers to take enforcement action against abuse and misuse of the scheme. However, when a valid badge is retained under (d) above it should normally be returned to the holder. Some Blue Badge applicants may be unhappy about the way the process has been conducted. This will be the case where a personclearly meets the criteria and their impairment will not improve, such as a double amputee. See regulation 9(1)(f) of the 2000 regulations. Pain is subjective, and some people have higher pain thresholds than others. BBDS will send out the badge to an address as specified by the local authority. Where a badge is issued by post a covering letter will be included referring to the rules and responsibilities of the badge holder. Indeed, the badge holder may not know the third party is using the badge. You should consider this to make sure you are not without a Blue Badge. Applicants should be asked to provide contact details for the person certifying their application. It will be important to identify people at the earliest opportunity and if possible whilst they are undergoing initial treatments and therapy to aid their recovery. Transsexual and transgender people live permanently in a gender other than that assigned at birth. We use cookies on this site to enhance the user experience. Local authorities can sign up to this service at no cost to themselves. It is expected that all applicants reapplying for a Blue Badge under the temporary criteria, having previously been issued a badge under the same criteria, will be referred to the IAS for assessment unless there is sufficient evidence available to the authority to allow them to make a decision. The Disabled Persons Parking Badges Act 2013 allows civil enforcement officers to retain a badge which is suspected of being abused or misused. You can request it for yourself or someone else. Please speak to us so we can advise you on whether you can apply. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. The marker has been added to the badge to help civil enforcement officers and police officers to identify obvious cases of badge misuse. This non-statutory guidance has been prepared by the Welsh Government to assist local authorities in administrating the Blue Badge Scheme. With certain restrictions, a blue badge enables the holder to park: Free of charge at a parking meter or pay-and-display bays. People who may be issued with a badge without further assessment are those who are more than two years old and fall within one or more of the automatic eligibility descriptions below. Policy and background Includes 16. anything to do with the badge. Respect for the individual and privacy of gender history are of paramount importance and it is recommended that a Gender Recognition Certificate not be requested as proof of identity. when the badge is lost or stolen), amends the existing inspection power so that authorised enforcement officers in plain clothes may inspect badges (this was limited to constables and specified enforcement officers who in consequence of other legislation generally had to be uniformed), provide constables and enforcement officers with power to retain a badge that has been produced to them and which is cancelled, due for return, being misused or fake, clarify the existing offences relating to the wrongful use of Blue Badges to put beyond doubt that it is an offence to use a badge that should have been returned and apply the same offences to a badge that has been cancelled, has already been cancelled e.g. Local authorities should make it clear when issuing the badge that it should be returned to them on expiry, or if the recipient no longer needs it, because the condition under which it was issued no longer applies. experience. Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. Offenders can be prosecuted and face a fine of up to 1,000 on conviction. When making an assessment under this criterion, local authorities will need to consider whether the applicant meets all of the following: For this purpose, a parking meter includes a machine for issuing pay-and-display tickets which shows that a charge has been paid and the period of parking paid for, as well as a parking meter which itself indicates that a charge has been paid and whether the period paid for has expired. Applicant is in receipt of Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA), An original HRMCDLA award letter dated within the last 12 months, Applicant is in receipt of War Pensioners Mobility Supplement, Applicant is in receipt of Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (tariff 1-8), An original award letter, which also certifies that you have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty walking, People awarded Tariff 6, - Permanent Mental Disorder of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, An original award letter which demonstrates that the applicant has been awarded tariff 6 - Permanent Mental Disorder under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, Applicant is registered as sight impaired under section 29(4)(g) of the National Assistance Act 1948, An ophthalmologist report or CV1/BD8 form confirming that the person is severely sight impaired (blind) or registration with local authority as sight impaired. If you can't access online systems there are computers available in the Civic Centre, our community hubs and local libraries. Details are set out in the Parking Card for People with Disabilities in the European Union". Local authorities can refuse to issue a badge if they have reason to believe that the applicant is not who they claim to be. See regulation 8 of the 2000 regulations. Making use of their specialist skills and resources can enable the enforcement operation to better target their attention, improving success rates. It is recommended that the applicants name be written clearly on the back of each photograph and that the applicant, or the person applying on their behalf, confirms in the declaration section of the application form that the photograph is a true likeness. Disabled rail passengers face restrictions at one in 10 stations See regulation 10 of the 2000 regulations (as amended by S.I. In no circumstances should a badge be issued to an applicant who does not meet one of the eligibility criteria set out in the legislation that governs the scheme and badges should never be issued to people solely on the basis of their age. If this is to be successful, they must be able to demonstrate that the information supplied can be acted on and responded to. Read more information about Blue Badge eligibility. The definition of enforcement officer is a person who is employed by a local authority or with whom the authority have made arrangements for the purpose of inspecting and retaining badges. Welsh Government recommends that the authority has a clear policy on how they will review Blue Badge decisions should a decision be challenged by an applicant. 13. You'll need some information to apply or re-apply for a Blue Badge. In the majority of cases there is no statutory appeal process after the local authority has decided to turn down an application (Footnote 9). WebThe Blue Badge is linked to you rather than a vehicle, so you can use it with any car. WebUse our checker to find out if you are eligible for a Blue Badge. This group may also need to stop to perform an urgent medical procedure e.g. It allows public sector workers to share good practices, ideas and practical tips: bbds-uk-gov.slack.com. Applicants will still need to provide the appropriate photographs, any supporting documents required (i.e. It also explains the existing powers available to local authorities. The local authority will require additional information to support this claim. If the applicant applies for a further badge after their temporary badge expires the local authorities should assess their mobility in the normal way, including if necessary referral to the IAS. Other professionals with knowledge who may be able to provide evidence are: It is important to ensure that the evidence gathered allows the local authority to assess using case-by-case evidence relevant to that individual. When you Having a common system for processing Blue Badge information and securely printing and distributing badges prevents many types of fraud and abuse. Some councils have paper application forms or can help you with your application. In those circumstances, it is recommended that the photograph is certified by a person, other than a partner or family member of the applicant, who has known them for a minimum of two years and is 18 years or over. The act of returning the badge does not preclude the relevant authority from prosecuting any offence that has been committed, if desired. You are not completely unable to walk, have considerable difficulty walking or have substantial impairment to mobility. This is unnecessary if the applicant gives consent for the local authority to check council tax records, the electoral register or school records to confirm the address. Furthermore, the enforcement officer does not need to be in uniform but they do need to be authorised in writing by the authority to carry out badge inspections and retentions. Part of: Parking, Blue Badges and road offences. They will need to evidence (written healthcare professional evidence or during a mobility assessment) that any danger to their health is a direct result of the effort required to walk. Blue badge disabled parking permits BBC Shared Data Unit made this Freedom of Information request to Swansea Council as part of a batch sent to 216 Parking The following is not an exhaustive list, but illustrates the most common ways in which badges can be abused or misused, from the minor to more serious transgressions: Local authorities should consider ways of preventing abuse and misuse of the scheme from the outset. The serious deterioration that occurs does not need to be permanent but it should require medical intervention for them to recover. Guidance for local authorities on how to deliver the Blue Badge Scheme. You can follow the link provided here to tailor your experience, or accept all and continue on this page. As part of their role, it is important that there is effective communication between the teams that issue Blue Badges and those that conduct on-street parking enforcement. Good practice: local authorities should process all applications through the BBDS. Local authorities will need to carefully consider the evidence provided by applicants. 5. Youll also need a photo or scan of your: proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence), proof of address (such as a Council Tax bill or government letter), your National Insurance number (if you have one), the details of your current Blue Badge (if youre reapplying). If no such evidence is provided, the local authority will need to decide whether to refer the application to the IAS. They will still be expected to sign the declaration form. We would also encourage issuing authorities to work closely with their enforcement authorities and act on information supplied by enforcement officers. The BBDS system will facilitate this. This will likely require evidence from consultants, specialists or therapists and this may be providedby. Your Blue Badge is not renewed automatically. Local authorities may not wish to charge for replacement badges if there is evidence that the badge has been stolen, for instance where the badge holder has reported the theft to the police and provides the authority with a police incident number. An organisation is defined as meaning an organisation concerned with the care of disabled persons to which a Blue Badge may be issued in accordance with section 21(4) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (Footnote 2).. 2. You do not have a terminal illness that seriously limits mobility. Non-essential cookies are also used to tailor and improve services. This ensures that civil enforcement officers and the police checking the validity of badges displayed in vehicles are able to check badge details. Bear in mind that healthcare professionals do encourage mild exercise to improve certain conditions so these cases will need to be looked at and considered on an individual basis. Having the removal team (or contractor) primed will enable them to respond quickly. You may wish to upgrade your browser. It is important to collect strong evidence against potential fraudsters. Applicants who can walk more than 80 metres (87.5 yards) and do not demonstrate very considerable difficulty in walking through any other factors would not be deemed as eligible. We follow guidance set by the Welsh Government but they do not have the power to intervene in the assessment of individual cases. Local authorities who receive an application under the temporary criteria will need to check if the applicant has supporting evidence from health providers or social services. See regulation 4(2) of the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Wales) Regulations 2000 (S.I. Your local council deals with all Blue Badge enquiries. The rules under which badges are awarded are set by the Welsh Government. It is important that detailed information on the eligibility criteria is provided to all applicants at an early stage to provide realistic expectations and prevent time being wasted by applicants who do not meet the criteria. The Blue Badge Digital Service enables data sharing and enforcement checks quickly and easily. A Blue Badge lets you park closer to your destination. Mobility Activity 1 plus Mobility Activity 2. They will give you a decision in around 12 weeks. Blue Badges are not renewed automatically and your eligibility will be checked again. Must be able to demonstrate that the local authority to provide contact details for the certifying! Sector workers to share good practices, ideas and practical tips:.!, your local council decides on the charge for a Blue badge to address... To work Parking meter or pay-and-display bays service at no cost to themselves able to check details. Or replacement badge badge is linked to you rather than a vehicle, so you can follow link... 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