Blue Badge application required supporting documents

Photos need to be similar to passport pictures but do not need to be taken in a photo booth or by a professional. They can be taken with a digital camera or smartphone.

Your photo must be:

• taken within the last six months - it must be different to the one on your previous Blue Badge
• of you on your own
• a close-up of your head and shoulders
• in colour - we do not accept black and white
• sharp and in focus with a clear difference between your face and the background
• taken against a plain, light background
• of you looking straight at the camera
• non-tinted glasses can be worn
• showing your full head, unless you cover your head for religious or medical reasons

For an adult

One of the following dated within the last 12 months.

• A Council Tax document for the current tax year
• A utility bill or financial statement
• A fully signed, termed tenancy agreement - we only require the pages that show the tenant names, property address, tenancy term dates and the signatures
• An official letter from an organisation such as HRMC, NHS, benefits agency, local council
• A payslip

For a child

One of the following dated within the last 12 months.

• A letter from the child's school
• An official letter from an organisation such as HRMC, NHS, benefits agency, local council
• A letter from a hospital, GP or appointment
• A letter to the parents or guardians about the child

Please note:

You cannot use the same document as both proof of identity and proof of address.

A copy of the letter, video or photograph are accepted.

Please provide copies of documents, as original documents cannot be returned.

Proof of identity must be in the applicant's name and show their date of birth. You must submit a copy of one of the following:

• valid passport (the photograph page)
• valid photocard driving licence (the front of the photocard showing the applicant's name, date of birth and address)
• birth/adoption certificate
• prescriptions 

Please note:

You cannot use the same document as both proof of identity and proof of address.

A copy of the letter, video or photograph are accepted. 

Please provide copies of documents, as original documents cannot be returned.

For discretionary physical disability category applicants

For applicants who are applying under the discretionary physical disability category, you may be asked to provide additional information. 

The documents listed below are examples of suitable evidence, but this list is not exhaustive. It is your responsibility to find and provide the relevant documentation, as we are unable to request documents on your behalf.

Please provide copies of documents, as original documents cannot be returned.

• A recent letter or report from a consultant or specialist detailing the impact of the condition on walking ability
• A physiotherapy assessment or mobility report
• Evidence of mobility aids or home adaptations
• A statement from a healthcare professional describing how the condition affects day-to-day mobility
• Relevant benefits documentation, such as a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award letter showing the mobility component. Please watch our short PIP Moving Around Eligibility video (youtube.com) that confirms the parts of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) entitlement letter we need.
• A GP Patient Summary, which may include relevant diagnoses, medications, and mobility-related notes

For applicants automatically qualifying

For applicants who automatically qualify, you may be asked to provide proof of your entitlement to your qualifying benefit.

The documents suitable for each are listed below. Please be aware it is your responsibility to find and provide the below documentation, as we are unable to request documentation on your behalf.

Your Blue Badge will expire at the end of your current entitlement shown on you provide as evidence, or for three years from the date of issue, whichever is first.

Please provide copies of documents, as original documents cannot be returned.

Severely sight impaired

Please provide a copy of your ophthalmologist's report / CVI / BD8 form.

Receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

We will check the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) database to check if you are eligible. If we are unable to establish eligibility we will ask you to provide a copy of your entitlement letter for the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) issued within the last 12 months or an original copy of your yearly update letter. Read more Disability Living Allowance information on the GOV.UK website

Receive the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS)

Please provide a copy of your entitlement letter for the War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement (WPMS). Read more War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement guidance on the GOV.UK website.

Receive award under Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)

Please provide a copy of your award letter confirming receipt of tariffs 1-8 under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme. This should certify that you have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty walking.

The Department for Transport (DfT) have confirmed that proof of Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) only does not qualify automatically for a Blue Badge. Read more Armed Forces Compensation Scheme guidance on the GOV.UK website.

You meet the 'moving around' requirements for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) mobility component

We will check the DWP database to check if you are eligible. If we are unable to establish eligibility we will ask you to provide a copy of your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision letter issued within the last 12 months, showing you have been awarded 8 or more points on the 'moving around descriptor' only. This must include the front page, expiry date of your award and the page showing your score for the 'moving around' section.

If your letter was not issued within the last 12 months, you must also include a copy of your annual uprating letter showing your current name and address.

Please watch our short PIP Moving Around Eligibility video (youtube.com) that confirms the parts of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) entitlement letter we need. Read Personal Independence Payment overview on the GOV.UK website.

You meet the 'planning and following a journey' requirements for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) mobility component

We will check the DWP database to check if you are eligible. If we are unable to establish eligibility we will ask you to provide a copy of your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision letter issued within the last 12 months, showing you have been awarded descriptor E which states 'you cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress'. This must include the front page, the expiry date of your award and the page showing your score for the 'planning and following a journey' section.

If your letter was not issued within the last 12 months, you must also include a copy of your annual uprating letter showing your current name and address.

Please watch our short PIP Moving Around Eligibility video (youtube.com) that confirms the parts of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) entitlement letter we need. The ‘planning and following a journey’ section is on the same page as the ‘moving around’ section.

Proof of entitlement for non-visible (hidden) disabilities

For applicants applying under the discretionary criteria for non-visible (hidden) disabilities such as severe psychological distress or other complex mental health disorders, you will be asked to provide proof of your disability and how it affects you during a journey.

We need to assess your eligibility for a Blue Badge. Anyone over two years old may be eligible if they:

• Experience considerable difficulty whilst walking which may include severe psychological distress. For example, this could include conditions such as severe anxiety and agoraphobia.
• Are at serious risk of harm when walking or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person. For example, this could include complex mental health disorders, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Mandatory

A Blue Badge Hidden Disabilities Professional form (BBNV2) (opens as PDF) must be completed by a social, educational or healthcare professional involved with your care.

We are unable to contact professionals on your behalf and a family member cannot complete this form even if they care for you.

Please provide copies of documents, as original documents cannot be returned.

Optional

• Letter of diagnosis
• Confirmation of ongoing treatment, clinic attendance or referrals
• Evidence of prescribed medication relevant to the condition
• Evidence of specialist consultations or referrals
• Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
• Experience and coping strategies
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision letters
• Social housing reports or assessments from Local Authority
• Care plans from local care teams
• Patient summary or summary care records
• Please be aware GP letters of support must not be the only source of evidence

Which part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) do I send?

Please watch our short PIP Moving Around Eligibility video (youtube.com) that confirms the parts of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) entitlement letter we need.

From the first page we need to see; National insurance number, name and address, date of letter (within last 12 months), and expiry date of PIP entitlement. From the mobility section of letter, usually the last page, we need to see; National insurance number and moving around score.

A copy of the letter, video or photograph are accepted. Details must be shown clearly.