Below are a selection of questions regularly asked in relation to the badge scheme.
Please click on any relevant question and the information will appear.
If you require further details or clarification on the information given, please contact Customer Services on 252 7000.
1. Who is eligible for a Blue Badge?
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are registered blind
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receive Mobility Allowance or the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
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receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
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in receipt of tariffs 1 - 8 under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Order 2011
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have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
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2. What evidence do I need to provide?
3. Will I automatically receive a new badge when my current one expires?
We do send reminder letters to all existing Badge holders, however each application is assessed on its own merit.
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4. Why are GP’s no longer involved?
Central Government have instructed that this is no longer possible and have transferred funds to Local Authority’s to employ Independent Medical assessors.
5. If you no longer involve my GP, what information do I need to provide?
We need you to answer questions regarding your mobility and also provide any recent information from a consultant, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist or other medical professional.
6. Why is the form longer?
We have designed two forms:
Automatic form – this is a two page form for applicants who qualify under the automatic criteria, e.g. Higher Rate of Disability Allowance, Registered blind…
Discretionary form – this is longer as we need to obtain information from applicants regarding their mobility.
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7. Can anyone help me complete the form?
Yes - you can visit one of our Cstomer Service Centres or visit Gre Frairs. Our staff will happly help complete your application form.
Visit one of our Customer Service Centres or Grey Friars.
Postal address:
Leicester City Council, Blue Badge Team, 1 Greyfrairs, Leicester, LE1 5PH.
8. How will you assess discretionary applications?
We will administer a robust desk top assessment, referring to information held within the Social Care Database. All applications will be considered carefully along with any evidence provided by professionals i.e. supporting consultant letters etc.
An appointment will be made with the mobility assessor if we are unable to make a decision.
If we require you to attend a Mobility Assessment the Blue Badge Team will contact you to arrange and confirm appointments in writing.
9. Where will the mobility assessments take place?
Assessments will be held at Grey Friars where we have parking facility.
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10. Why has the fee increased to £10?
The current fee of £2 has not been increased since 1983, the increase in fee is being raised after consultation to cover the costs of the new badge design and administration costs more accurately.
11. How do I pay?
Either pay via telephone (0116 256 5181) or face to face at one of our customer service centres or Grey Friars.
We accept credit/debit payments; we also accept cheques and postal orders made payable to Leicester City Council.
(If you make a payment over the phone you will need to record the payment reference on the form so we can cross reference our records when we receive the form.)
12. Will unsuccessful applicants be charged?
No, the fee will be returned.
13. Why do I need to collect my badge?
Collection of badges ensures they reach the badge holder and also if you have a current badge this is returned before we issue a new one.
Nationally the main areas of misuse are by;
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Family members.
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Badges not received by post.
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The use of unreturned/expired badges.
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14. Can I still come to Customer Services to get a badge while I wait?
No, as the badges are no longer produced in the authority, however we strongly recommend you visit as the benefits:
15. How many photos do I need to provide?
Just one, either a passport sized photo attached to the application form, or you can email a ‘jpg’ or ‘gif’ file under 200kb to bluebadge@leicseter.gov.uk
You can come to one of the customer service centres and have a digital photo taken.
All photos must meet passport standards.
16. What if I lose my clock?
Call 252 7000, we will post one to you or you can arrange to collect from a Customer Service Centre of Grey Friars.
17. What if I lose my Badge?
Please double check your house, car, vehicle travelled in. It is always a good idea to contact where you have visited e.g. supermarket, hospital, etc. to check if it has been handed in.
If you are still unable to locate we will post you a form for you for completion in order for a replacement badge to be issued. Please be aware a £10 fee is payable.
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18. If your application is unsuccessful
Where an applicant feels there is reason to query the decision made, Leicester City Council operates a re-assessment procedure.
A copy of the reassessment procedure is sent out to all applicants who are unsuccessful. A request should be received by the badge section within 28 days of the rejection letter and must be in writing, stating any additional medical information.
19. Is my badge transferable between vehicles?
Yes. Badges are issued to individuals not vehicles.
20. Can I have a reserved parking space outside my home if I have a badge?
Applications for a parking bay outside the badge holders home should be made to the Environment, Regeneration & Development Department of the Leicester City Council on (0116) 252 6533.
There is a charge and parking is not restricted to sole use, anyone with a blue badge can park, additionally the installation of a bay is at the Council’s discretion.
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21. I broke my leg recently am I eligible?
People with temporary disabilities, such as a broken limb, are not eligible for a Blue Badge.
22. If I leave Leicester and move to another address in the UK, what do I do?
Your current badge is still valid. When your badge is due to expire, you will need to make an application to your new local authority. However you need to inform us of your new address so we can maintain our records.
23. My organisation cares for disabled people, can I apply?
Organisations who care for disabled people can also apply for organisational badges, which provide the same parking concessions as an individual badge.
Organisational Application forms are available on our website.
24. What other concessions are available?
Other concessions are available locally at city council owned car parks.
Leicester City Council run eight public car parks, all of which have unlimited free parking for Blue Badge holders.
National Car Parks manage most of the other public car parking in the city. They give no concessions to disabled people.
