New Arrangements for the Assessment of Blue Badge Applications from 1st September 2012

Find out about changes to the Blue Badge Scheme from the 1st January 2012

What is the Blue Badge scheme?

The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers.

The Scheme also applies to registered blind people, and people with very severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand.

The scheme is designed to help severely disabled people to travel independently, as either a driver or a passenger, by allowing them to park close to their destination.

Blue badge holders are able to use the parking spaces set aside for disabled people, and park in paid parking zones for longer periods of time.

Blue badges belong to the disabled person and not the car or the driver, and must not be used by anyone other than the disabled person.

For further details of the scheme please refer to: 

The Department of Transport - Scotland

Can I get a Blue Badge? and Rights and Responsibilities of a Blue Badge Holder

Or look at the Frequently asked questions page.

The legislative basis for the Blue Badge Scheme can be found here..

Am I eligible for a Blue Badge?

Please check the Eligibility Criteria to find out if you or your organisation may be eligible for a Blue Badge

Applying for a Blue Badge

Online

Applicants who are automatically entitled to a Blue badge due to the benefits they receive can apply and pay for a Blue Badge online.

Please check the Eligibility Criteria if you are usure if you will automatically qualify.

Applicants who are not automatically entitled can download the relevant Application form below:

Blue Badge Application form - to be used for all Blue Badge applications for both individuals and organisations.

Replacement Blue Badge Application Form - to be used if your badge has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

By Post

Blue badge enquiries or requests and completed applications can be posted to a single council wide address:

Blue Badges, Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead PA31 8RT

In Person

Customers can access information, application forms and submit completed applications in person at most of the local Customer Service Points. Customers who live in on Tiree can visit their Customer Service Point for information, but should post their completed applications to: Blue Badges, Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead PA31 8RT.

Telephone Enquiries

There is a national helpline for blue badge enquiries  0844 4630214

Email Enquiries

Please email any enquiries or requests for application packs to: bluebadges@argyll-bute.gov.uk

What you will have to provide:

• Proof of eligibility if you are applying uder the Automatic Criteria, e.g. recent award letter for qualifying benefits
• For all applications you will need to provide 1 passport sized photograph, which should be signed by the applicant on the back.
• If you are re-applying for a Blue Badge you must return your old badge to your local Authority..
• If you badge has been lost or stolen you must report this to the police. They will issue you with a Confirmation of Loss Certificate or provide you with the incident number which you must provide along with your application for a replacement.

All applicants will also need to provide

• proof of address – a recent council tax bill, DWP award letter, Housing Benefit award letter
• proofs of identity – a certified photocopy of a birth certificate, adoption certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, passport, civil partnership certificate, photographic driving licence;
• 1 x passport photograph, with the applicants name printed on the back
• The £20 Application Fee.

Appeals

If your application for a Blue Badge is refused you have the right to appeal that decision, appeals should be made in writing to: 

Social Work Department, FAO. Mr James Littlejohn, 48 Sinclair Street,Helensburgh, G84 8TQ

Email: james.littlejohn@argyll-bute.gov.uk

You should explain fully why you believe the decision is wrong and you may wish to provide additional evidence to support your case. The Council will aim to respond to you within 20 working days, if we can’t deal with your appeal in these timescales we’ll let you know why.

Misuse of a Blue Badge

Misuse of a Blue Badge is a serious offence. Local Authorities can withdraw a badge if the holder misuses it - for example, by allowing other people to use it or if they feel the badge Holder is not entitled to a Blue Badge

Badge holders must only use the badge for their own benefit. People who are not disabled and park in a bay designated for Blue Badge holders are liable to a parking fine of up to £1,000 plus any additional penalty for the related parking offence. These bays are specifically for the use of people with disabilities only.

It is a criminal offence to drive a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge unless the badge holder is in the vehicle. Anyone misusing the badge is liable to a fine of up to £1,000 plus any additional penalty for the related parking offence. They may also be charged with fraud, which can result in much more severe penalties. If you think that a Blue Badge is being misused or a badgehoder should not be entitled to a Blue Badge, you should report the matter to your Local Authority. Try to get as many details as possible from the badge on display (name, serial number, expiry date etc).

Reports of misuse or Fraud will only be accepted in writing to:

Blue Badges, Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RT

or by email to:  bluebadges@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Argyll and Bute Council will investigate each case individually and take action if required