Blue Badge

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge

A Blue Badge allows people with disabilities to park close to their destination, as a driver or passenger.

You can apply for a Blue Badge for yourself, on behalf of someone else or as an organisation that cares for disabled people.

You can apply for a Blue Badge up to 14 weeks before it is needed.

It may take up to 12 weeks to process your application.

If you apply online you may get your badge earlier.

What you’ll need

You may get your badge sooner if you provide the correct evidence when you apply, this includes:

  • proof of eligibility
  • proof of identity (such as a passport or driving licence)
  • proof of address (less than 12 months old), unless you give us permission to check your Council Tax record
  • proof of benefits (if you get any)
  • photo showing your head and shoulders
  • details of your current Blue Badge (if you’re renewing).

Your proof must be clear and readable.

Proof of eligibility

You'll need to provide proof that you're eligible before we can issue you with a Blue Badge.

Find out what proof of eligibility you’ll need to provide for each eligibility category.

You could qualify if you get any of the following:

  • the higher rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance. View an example of what you’ll need to upload
  • 8 points or more under the 'Moving around' category of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). View an example of what you’ll need to upload
  • War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
  • Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) award, tariffs 1 to 8 and have been assessed by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty walking
  • are registered blind or severely sight impaired
  • you have a DS1500 or SR1 for a terminal illness.

If you are eligible for a Blue Badge under the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or PIP, it will expire at the end of your current entitlement period shown on your evidence letter, or for 3 years from the date of issue, whichever is first.

You may qualify if you have:

  • a permanent disability or condition which means you have difficulty walking
  • a disability in both arms and drive a vehicle regularly, but cannot use parking machines
  • the mobility component of PIP and have 10 points specifically for Descriptor E under the 'planning and following journeys' activity, as you're unable to undertake journeys because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress. View an example of what you’ll need to upload
  • a hidden disability or non-physical condition, causing severe struggle with journeys
  • a child under 3 years old that needs to be transported with bulky medical equipment for urgent treatment 
  • a child under 3 years old that always needs to be near a vehicle so they can be treated or driven to a place for treatment for a permanent illness.

Proof of identity

We must check your identity before we can issue you with a Blue Badge.

You'll need to provide a copy of one of the following:

  • passport
  • driving licence
  • birth certificate or adoption certificate
  • marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
  • divorce certificate.

Proof of current address in Medway

If you give us consent to check your Council Tax record you do not need to provide proof that you live in Medway.

If you do not give us consent to check your record, you’ll need to provide a copy of one of the following:

  • Medway Council Tax bill
  • utility bill
  • bank statement.

Your documents must be dated within the last 12 months.

Photo

For new applications you’ll need to provide a photo to be displayed on your badge. Your photo should be of your head and shoulders, like a passport photo.

For renewals you can provide a new photo or we can use the photo on your current Blue Badge.

Apply online

We'll accept electronic documents, scanned copies or clearly readable photographs of your proof.

Apply for or renew a Blue Badge

Payment

Blue Badges cost £10 whether it’s your first one or you’re renewing or replacing it.

If you apply online we'll email you a payment link once your badge has been approved.

If you do not apply online, and do not provide an email address, we'll contact you by phone or letter when your application has been approved and we need payment.

You should receive your Blue Badge within 21 working days of us receiving your payment.