Who can get a Blue Badge

You can get a Blue Badge if you have a permanent and substantial walking disability, where you are either unable to walk, or have very considerable difficulty in walking; which may include considerable psychological distress, risk of serious harm when walking, or a risk of serious harm to any other person

Automatic qualification

Please be aware that the Blue Badge expiry date will be the same as the PIP or DLA award expiry date - if it is within the three year period.

If any of the following apply, you will receive a badge without further assessment:

• You receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA), dated in the last 12 months
• You are registered severely sight impaired (blind)
• You receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
• You have been both:
  • awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, and
  • certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
• You receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award that indicates you cannot walk further than 50 metres
• You receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award of 10 points with the specific accompanying statement ‘where to undertake a journey causes overwhelming psychological distress’

Note that 12 points in 'Planning Your Journey' does not qualify automatically for a Blue Badge

If your DLA or PIP award is only for a short period, you can opt to apply under the 'subject to assessment' route (below) which will allow a Blue Badge to be awarded for the full three years - if you fulfil the 'subject to assessment' eligibility criteria.

Subject to assessment

A badge may be issued after further assessment if you either:

• regularly drive a vehicle, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate (or have considerable difficulty in operating) all or some types of parking meter, or
• have an enduring and substantial disability which causes you, during the course of your journey: 
  • to be unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty whilst walking – which may include considerable psychological distress, or
  • to be at risk of serious harm when walking, or
  • to pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person

Children under the age of 3

Children under the age of 3 may be eligible for a badge if they:

• require bulky medical equipment which is difficult to carry
• need to be near a vehicle at all times so that they can receive emergency treatment in the vehicle
• need to be near a vehicle at all times so they can be driven somewhere for emergency treatment

Life Limiting Illness with poor prognosis

The Blue Badge is issued to people who have considerable difficulty when walking. Hampshire County Council have included a concession to assist people who have a life limiting illness with a poor prognosis where an SR1, or DS1500 has been issued by their consultant or other involved medical professional. You will need to provide a copy of this form or a letter containing the same information, with your application form.

Use the first descriptive box on the application form to accurately explain the illness and prognosis (or Part 6 on the paper application form)

You do not qualify for a blue Badge if...

• you have a disabling condition that is only temporary, such as a broken leg
• you suffer from an Irritable Bowel condition where none of the above qualification criteria are met