Changes to the scheme:
From 1st January 2012 the Department for Transport
changed the Blue Badge scheme:
- The charge for a Blue Badge from Wigan Council has changed
to £10 from 1st April 2012, in line with Department for
Transport reforms.
- The design of the Blue Badge will change to aid enforcement and
make it harder to tamper with, copy or forge.
- You will be able to apply for a badge online through Directgov
at: www.direct.gov.uk/bluebadge
(you will still be able to apply
directly to us for a Blue Badge).
Applying for or renewing a badge might mean completing a
different application form to the one you may have completed
before. The application form in Wigan is due to be amended in
early 2012 to be consistent with the Directgov online
application. This may also involve providing different
information so that Wigan Council can process your application more
effectively and take an informed decision about whether or not you
need to have a mobility assessment.
Who can have a Blue Badge?
Eligible without further assessment
Anyone who meets one of the following criteria is eligible for
the issue of a Blue Badge without further assessment:
- receives the higher rate mobility component of Disability
Living Allowance;
- receives a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement;
- is a registered blind person under the National Assistance Act
1948;
- has been awarded a benefit (giving rise to a lump sum at
tariffs 1-8 inclusive) under the Armed Forces Compensation
Scheme (AFCS) and has also been certified by the Service Personnel
and Veterans agency as having a permanent and substantial
disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable
difficulty in walking.
Eligible with further assessment
You can still apply for a Blue Badge if you do not meet the
above criteria but you should:
- have a severe disability in both upper limbs; regularly drive a
motor vehicle and have difficulty operating parking meters;
- have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are
unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in
walking;
- have a child/children under 3 years of age who, because of a
specific medical condition, need to travel with bulky medical
equipment or need to be close to a vehicle for emergency medical
treatment.
If you apply under this criteria, it is likely that we will ask
you to attend a mobility assessment with our independent
Occupational Therapist to determine your eligibility.
Organisational Blue Badges
A Blue Badge can be issued to an organisation that transports
disabled people who, if they applied for a Blue Badge as
individuals, would qualify in their own right. A senior
representative may apply on behalf of their organisation.
Taxi firms are not eligible to apply. We would recommend
that their clients apply for an individual badge.
Can I appeal against the decision?
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your application,
you can appeal in writing by following the Blue Badge appeal
procedure
How do I apply?
Blue Badge applications can be made by contacting the Council's
Call Centre on 01942 827819. Call centre staff will ask a series of
questions to assist in completing the application form.
The Blue Badge scheme is administered by Wigan Council who issue
badges in accordance with guidelines and regulations provided by
the Department for Transport.
The Department of Transport
Blue Badge webpage contains additional information on Blue
Badges, including the Reform Strategy.
Contact details:
Wigan Council Blue Badge Team
Address: Wigan Life Centre, PO Box 100, Wigan WN1 3DS
Phone: 01942 827819
Web: www.wigan.gov.uk/bluebadge
Email: bluebadges@wigan.gov.uk
Did you know?
Blue Badge holders are able to take advantage of the applicable
disabled motorists' parking privileges when visiting countries in
the European Union.