Apply for a Blue Badge

A Blue Badge helps people with severe mobility difficulties or non-visible disabilities park closer to their destination. On this page, you can find out who can apply, what evidence you need, how to apply, and what to do if your application is refused.

You can apply for a Blue Badge for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

You do not need to drive to have a Blue Badge. Only one badge can be issued to each eligible person, and it must only be used when that person is travelling.

Portsmouth City Council issues Blue Badges for people living in Portsmouth postcodes PO1 to PO6. If you live outside this area, you will need to contact Hampshire County Council to apply for a Blue Badge.

Contents

• Who automatically qualifies for a Blue Badge
• Other ways you may be eligible
• Temporary disabilities
• Documents you need
• How to apply for or renew a Blue Badge
• If your application is refused
• What happens next
• Complaints about the appeal process

You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you:

• are registered blind
• receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
• receive War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• have received a lump sum payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (tariffs 1 to 8) and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

You automatically qualify if you receive PIP and either:

• scored 8 points or more in the moving around part of your PIP assessment
• scored 10 points in descriptor E of the planning and following a journey part of the mobility component because making a journey would cause overwhelming psychological distress

If you scored 10 points for descriptor D or 12 points for descriptor F in the planning and following a journey part of your PIP mobility assessment, you do not automatically qualify, but you may still be eligible after further assessment.

Mobility assessments

If you do not meet the automatic eligibility rules, you can still apply. We may ask you to attend a mobility assessment. If this happens, we will contact you after we have reviewed your application. Assessments take place at Exploria, Pyramids Centre, Southsea, and are carried out by a qualified occupational therapist.

If you apply online and we need more information before making a decision, we may send you a short additional form. This helps us decide whether you can be issued a Blue Badge without attending an assessment.

Non-visible disabilities

You may also be eligible if you have a non-visible disability. This includes people who:

• experience very considerable difficulty walking, including very considerable psychological distress
• are at risk of serious harm when walking
• could pose a risk of serious harm to another person when walking

If this applies to you, you will need a different application form. Please contact us to request it.

Evidence for a non-visible disability application

You are unlikely to be asked to attend a face-to-face assessment, but you should provide supporting evidence from health or social care professionals when you apply.

This could include a diagnosis, care plan, patient summary, or other documents that explain your condition and how it affects your ability to make a journey between a vehicle and your destination. The application form and guidance notes explain what to send.

You are only automatically eligible under this route if you scored 10 points in descriptor E of the planning and following a journey part of the PIP mobility component.

If you scored 10 points for descriptor D or 12 points for descriptor F, you do not automatically qualify, but you may still be considered after further assessment.

If you have a terminal illness

We can fast-track Blue Badge applications for people with a terminal illness. Please provide a letter, DS1500, or SR1 form confirming your diagnosis from your GP, specialist, or Macmillan nurse.

Once we receive the completed application form, we aim to order the Blue Badge within 48 hours. You should receive it within 5 working days of the order being placed.

Blue Badges for children under 3 years old

You may be able to apply for a Blue Badge for a child under 3 if they have a medical condition and:

• must always be accompanied by large or heavy medical equipment
• need to stay close to a vehicle for treatment or to be taken somewhere for treatment, such as a hospital

You cannot get a Blue Badge for a temporary disability such as a broken leg.

Before you start your application, make sure you have:

• your personal details, including your National Insurance number
• evidence to show you are eligible for a Blue Badge
• a certified copy of one of these documents:
  • passport
  • driving licence
  • birth certificate
  • marriage or divorce certificate
  • civil partnership or dissolution certificate
  • concessionary travel bus pass
• a copy of a household bill dated within the last 3 months showing your name and address, or your permission for us to check your Council Tax record
• a colour passport-style photograph taken within the last 12 months

A certified copy is a document checked and signed by someone who knows you, is not a family member, and does not live at the same address. Visit GOV.UK to find out more about countersigning a document.

Do not send original documents by post. If you cannot provide a certified copy, you can bring your original documents to the Civic Offices and we will copy and certify them for you.

A family member or friend can sign the application form on your behalf. If you need help completing the form, you can contact Age UK Portsmouth or the Blue Badge team.

We follow Department for Transport guidance, which recommends certified proof of identity and a passport-style photograph to help prevent fraud and misuse of the scheme.

You can apply for or renew a Blue Badge online on GOV.UK. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply.

A Blue Badge costs £10.

You can also use the online service to track your application and check whether you may be eligible.

If you cannot apply online

If you cannot apply online, you can use a local library or ask a family member or friend to help you.

You can also contact us to ask for a paper application form:

• email bluebadges@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
• phone 023 9284 1176
• write to Parking Service, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2NE

We will process your application as quickly as possible. Please allow up to 6 weeks because of the number of applications we receive and the checks involved. It may take longer if we need more information or ask you to attend a mobility assessment.

Once we have processed your application, we will contact you to arrange payment. We will post your Blue Badge after we receive the £10 fee.

If you disagree with the decision, you can ask us to review it. Send your appeal in writing, including by email, and explain why you disagree. If you need help writing your appeal, contact the Blue Badge team.

The parking manager and the professional lead for occupational therapy will review your appeal. You should receive a response within 4 to 6 weeks of us receiving it.

It may take longer if we need more information from healthcare professionals. We will keep you updated if there is a delay.

If you are unhappy with how we handled your appeal or with the service you received, but not the decision itself, you can make a complaint to Portsmouth City Council.

You can also contact the Local Government Ombudsman. They can check whether the council followed the correct process, but they cannot change the decision.