Changes to the Blue Badge Scheme from January 2012

Important changes to the way that people apply for Blue Badges have now come into force.

From 1 January people are being encouraged to apply for their badge online via the DirectGov website.

Applying online is the quickest and most convenient method of obtaining a badge. You will be asked to supply details of your eligibility criteria, and provide copies of supporting correspondence (e.g. High Rate Disability Living Allowance). The documents will need to be taken to one of the council’s Customer Access Points at Burnt Oak library or Barnet House. Please ensure you quote your application number (issued as part of the application process) so we can match your documents and your application together

You will also need to provide a digital, passport-standard photograph. The image should be in an electronic format (high quality scanned copies of a photograph will be accepted).

Please note that a small number of applicants who are not automatically entitled to a Blue Badge may need to undergo a telephone assessment of their eligibility. In rare cases it may be necessary to carry out a face to face assessment.

Once your application has been processed and is agreed, your Blue Badge will be posted directly to you. From 1 January a new Blue Badge design has also been introduced in an effort to help prevent improper use and make it harder to tamper with, copy or forge badges.

What is a 'Blue Badge'?

The Blue Badge Scheme is designed to help people with severe mobility problems who travel either as drivers or passengers, by allowing them to park close to their destination. You can get a Blue Badge if you:

receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance
receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
are registered blind
have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a vehicle by hand even if it is fitted with a turning knob, or you regularly drive a non adapted car but cannot operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter
have a permanent and substantial disability, which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking
children under the age of two will only qualify if due to a specific medical condition, they need to travel with bulky medical equipment or be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment. In such cases the badge will expire the day after the child's second birthday.

For further information about the Blue Badge Scheme, see the Information for applicants to the Blue Badge Scheme (PDF:63KB).

Application form and guidance

If you think your qualify for a Blue Badge, you need to complete a Blue Badge application form:

Blue Badge scheme application form (PDF: 79KB)
Guidance notes for completing the Blue Badge application form (PDF:65KB)

If you are applying for a Blue Badge on behalf of an organisation, you must use the organisational application form:

Organisational Blue Badge application form (PDF: 55KB).

For a printed copy of the forms, contact the Assisted Travel Team:

Tel: 020 8359 4131

Email: Assisted.Travel@barnet.gov.uk

Renewal applications for a 'Blue Badge'

Application forms should be submitted six weeks before the expiry date on the blue badge. Please tick the box on the front page of the form to confirm that it is a renewal application, and if the application is successful your new badge will be posted to you approximately 10 working days before your previous badge expires.

Parking Places

If you are a Barnet resident and a blue badge holder and parking congestion makes it difficult to park close to your home, you may be able to apply for a disabled badge holders' parking place to be designated near your home.