Obtaining a Blue Badge can significantly improve accessibility for people with limited mobility or living with dementia. This badge allows you to park closer to your destination and allows you to park in a wider space and fully open the door to allow for wheelchair access, whether it’s shopping in Lidl or getting a parking space at your GP.
To manage expectations, there is a current waiting time of a minimum of 12 weeks, but this is an understatement according to members. Further delays can occur if they need to do some more digging or they do not receive the right documents. It's also been anecdotally reported to us that the threshold is much higher than before.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to obtain a Blue Badge from East Sussex County Council
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before applying, it's crucial to determine if you are eligible for a Blue Badge. You may qualify automatically if you:
Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and scored 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ section.
Are registered blind (severely sight impaired).
Receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement.
Have a ‘permanent and substantial disability’ which means you cannot walk, or find walking very difficult.
Drive a vehicle regularly and have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to operate, or have considerable difficulty operating parking meters.
If you are not automatically eligible you can still get a badge if you have difficulty walking, using both arms or going to places because of mental health problems like stress or anxiety.
Step 2: Gather Necessary Documents
To apply for a Blue Badge, you will need:
1) Proof of identity such as a passport or driving licence.
2) Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement. This must be less than 12 months old and mobile phone bills are not accepted.
3) Proof of eligibility that automatically qualifies you for a Blue Badge such as being registered blind or holding PIP.
4) A letter from a medical professional which outlines how your condition affects mobility. A consultant letter which gives a specific diagnosis is often preferable to a letter from your GP which may not state your difficulties in enough detail.
5) Your current prescription.
6) Documents from healthcare professionals detailing investigations, treatments or plans. Ideally, these should be dated within the last 12 months but should be no older than 3 years.
7) A colour passport photo on a plain white background, taken within the last 3 months (you can get a passport photo at Morrisons in Crowborough) or take your own photo on your phone.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
You can apply for a Blue Badge either online or by post. Post may be the most straightforward option as Citizens Advice says many people find uploading documents tricky.
The key to a good application is to be detailed about your difficulties as this communicates the impact of the physical or mental issues on you, your vulnerability and how a blue badge will enhance safety. Think about the worst day for the person you're applying for, and how limited their mobility becomes.
Some examples of relevant information might be:
Does the person you support struggle with short distances? How far can they walk without assistance? (number of steps)
How long does it take if they need to stop for a rest and how long to recuperate?
Do they have depth perception issues which can lead to increased risk of trips or falls when navigating uneven surfaces?
Can they identify / understand road signs or safety markers which make navigating routes hard.
Loss of their sense of direction results in walking unaided can be unsafe
Difficulty with mobility make the process of getting in and out of vehicles more difficult and need extra space.
Slow processing skills and unable to register speed of a vehicle coming towards them make it hazardous for them to be near roads and oncoming cars.
Online Application:
Visit the official Blue Badge application website https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/social-care/blue-badges/apply-for-a-blue-badge
Create an account or log in if you already have one.
Follow the instructions to fill out the application form. This will include personal details, information about your disability or health condition, and how it affects your mobility.
Paper Application:
Obtain a paper application form from Crowborough Library with guidance notes.
Fill out the form carefully, ensuring all information is accurate and complete.
If you need help filling out the form there are experienced advisers at Citizens Advice or your ESCC Dementia Support Worker or Good Company team.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
If applying online, you can usually upload scanned copies of your documents directly to the application portal. For paper applications, you’ll need to include photocopies of your documents and send the completed form to the address provided.
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee
East Sussex County Council charges £10 for processing the Blue Badge application, which lasts three years. This can usually be paid online if you’re applying through the internet, or by cheque or postal order if applying by post and is payable on approval.
Step 6: Wait for a Decision
Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Blue Badge team at East Sussex County Council. They may contact you for further information or to arrange a mobility assessment. This process can take several months, so be very patient. Good Company members have suggested to do a Blue badge before you reach a crisis or it will be a long wait.
Step 7: Receive Your Blue Badge
If your application is successful, your Blue Badge will be sent to you by post. Make sure to read any accompanying information on how to use the badge correctly.
Step 8: Use Your Blue Badge
With your Blue Badge, you can:
Park in designated Blue Badge spaces.
Park on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, unless there are signs stating “no loading or unloading.”
Park for free and for as long as you need in on-street pay and display spaces and disabled parking bays.
Additional Tips
Always check: Some car parks do charge for parking in disabled spaces, so please always check when you arrive as every car park has its own rules.
Renewal: Blue Badges are typically valid for 3 years. Make sure to renew your badge before it expires to avoid any gaps in your eligibility.
Returns: You need to return the badge to the county council if a renewal badge is issued, expired, badge holder no longer needs it or dies and they will destroy it.
Lost or Stolen Badges: If your badge is lost or destroyed, you need to contact your local council immediately to arrange a replacement. If it’s been stolen you need to report to the police and get a crime reference number as they cannot issue a new one without it and there is a £10 fee for replacement badges.
Misuse: If you use an invalid one, use a friends, use a copied one or use one after the person you care for doesn’t need one then it’s a criminal offence and you could be fined up to £1000.
Complaints: If you are unhappy with the service, you can contact the Adult Social Care Complaints Unit on 01273 481242. However, if you are complaining about an unsuccessful badge application and wish to ask for a review, you need to contact the Blue Badge team directly
Contact information
You can send your application to:
Blue Badge Team, St Mary's House, 52 St Leonard’s Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3UU
Or email bluecarbadges@eastsussex.gov.uk and they will respond within 5 working days.
For more tips and hints visit:
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