As an unpaid carer, running errands at all times of the day can be the norm. With so many visits being made to so many different places, finding a place to park can be a challenge, especially during the busy times of the day.
To make things easier, you or the person you care for may be entitled to a Blue Badge.
Benefits and eligibility can be complex issues, and we always encourage you to access specialised support for your situation. You can get free support and advice from The Community Advice Hubs and Citizens Advice Bureau.
More information regarding Blue Badges in Solihull is provided by the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
Quick Access
What Is A Blue Badge?
A Blue Badge allows you to park in dedicated disabled parking spaces, either as a driver or passenger. This will let you park closer to your destination, reducing strain and potential hazards with crossing busy car parks or roads.
The Department of Transport has a really helpful but simple guide, explaining Who Can Get a Blue Badge.
Am I Eligible For A Blue Badge?
Blue Badges are designed to help those with disabilities, including hidden disabilities, to have better access and more freedom to travel. As such, you or the person you care for, will need to meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for a Blue Badge. Now, fulfilling certain criteria does automatically qualify you for a Blue Badge. If you don’t automatically qualify, don’t worry, you may still be eligible.
You Automatically Get A Blue Badge If...
You and the person you care for are aged 3 years old or over, and at least one of the following applies:
- you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres, which is a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component.
- be registered blind (You will need to provide a copy of your Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI))
- you receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.
- you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.
- you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress.
- have a terminal illness (You will need to provide a copy of your DS1500 or SR1 form)
You May Get A Blue Badge If...
- Unable to walk at all.
- Cannot walk without assistance from another person or mobility aids.
- Experience severe pain, breathlessness, or excessive time required to walk.
- Walking poses a danger to your health and safety.
- Have a life-limiting illness that significantly restricts walking and possess an SR1 form.
- Have a severe disability in both arms and regularly drive but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines.
- Have a child under 3 years old who requires bulky medical equipment at all times.
- Have a child under 3 years old who must always remain near a vehicle for emergency medical treatment.
- Are at constant significant risk near vehicles, in traffic, or car parks.
- Struggle severely to plan or follow a journey.
- Find it difficult or impossible to control actions or understand their impact on others.
- Regularly experience intense and overwhelming responses, leading to temporary loss of behavioural control.
- Frequently feel extreme anxiety or fear in public or open spaces.
What Do I Need To Provide When Applying?
When applying, you will need to provide accepted proofs of your eligibility and identity, so your local council can check and verify your information within your application.
The required provisions for your application are:
- proof of identity
- birth or adoption certificate
- passport
- driving licence
- marriage or civil partnership certificate
- divorce or dissolution certificate
- proof of address
- a recent council tax bill
- a recent letter from a government department such as Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- driving licence
- a recent letter from a school (if you are under 16)
- a recent head and shoulders digital photo
- your national insurance number (if you have one)
- contact details (phone number, email and postal address)
Providing Proof Of Your Benefits
You will also need to supply proof of the following benefits, if you have included them in your application form.
Any documents you provide must be dated within the last 12 months.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
You will need to your award end date (if applicable) as well as which rate of the mobility component you receive. When sending your DLA proof, it should be your most recent letter from the DWP, which clearly shows:
- mobility rating
- certificate of entitlement to DLA
- the date of the letter
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
This will be the most recent letter from the Ministry of Defence, which shows that you:
- were injured in service on or after 6 April 2005
- have been awarded a benefit by the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme within Tariffs 1 to 8
- are certified as having a permanent, substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
War Pensioners’ Mobility Scheme
This will be the most recent letter from the Ministry of Defence, which shows that you:
- was injured in service before 6 April 2005
- is in receipt of a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
How can I apply for a Blue Badge?
You can apply for your Blue Badge online, using the button below.
If you do not have access to the internet at home, computers are available at any of Solihull’s libraries or Solihull Connect walk in centres.
When you apply online, you will be asked to attach either a photo or scanned copies of your documents and proof. If you have no access to a scanner or camera, then these are available at Solihull Libraries. Just bring your documents and the library staff will be able to help you.
If you don’t include your documents with your application, then you must ensure they are provided within 7 working days, or your application will be withdrawn.
You can provide your documents via email or by post.
Email:
bluebadges@solihull.gov.uk
Postal Address:
Blue Badge Team
Solihull Connect at The Bluebell Centre
Ground Floor
West Mall
Chelmsley Wood
Solihull
B37 5TN
If you need any help with your application for then contact Solihull Council’s Blue Badge team via telephone on 0121 704 6000 (Option 1).
If you cannot visit a hub and have no one to assist you, a member of the Blue Badge administration team can contact you within 5 working days to complete the application over the phone. However, you will still need to submit the required documents separately.
More Information regarding applying for your Blue Badge can be found on the Government’s website.
Where can I park with my Blue Badge?
Blue Badges are not a pass to park where you want, but it does afford you some extra comforts to help you and the person you care for.
You can park…
On single and double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, so long as there are not any restrictions on loading or unloading. These are generally marked by yellow kerb dashes and /or signs on plates. These restrictions can be placed by the local authority, so it is worth checking with them, if you are planning to stay parked on yellow lines.
“On-street” disabled parking bays are marked with signs featuring a blue wheelchair symbol, and Parking is free. There are also no time limits, unless stated otherwise. Your Blue Badge must be displayed, along with the blue parking clock if the bay has a time restriction. Whenever possible, use these designated bays rather than parking on yellow lines.
Pay-and-display car parks mostly allow Blue Badge holders to park for free, so long as you use a disabled parking space. Check where you’re parking if it is free or not. Here you can find a list of disabled parking spaces in Solihull.
Check before you park…
Off-street car parks, including those at supermarkets, hospitals, and local council facilities, should offer designated spaces for disabled drivers. However, it is the car park owner’s discretion whether Blue Badge holders can park for free.
Always check the parking rules—free parking is not guaranteed.
The London boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, the City of London, and part of Camden.
For more details, see Parking in Central London.
Town centres with local parking schemes in place.
Refer to nearby signs for details.
On-street parking areas where all motorists can park for free but with a time limit.
Badge holders can usually park for free without a time limit. However, if signage indicates a time restriction for badge holders, you must adhere to it and display your parking clock, set to the quarter-hour period of your arrival.
Airport road systems.
Check with the airport in advance for parking arrangements.
Private roads.
Parking is only allowed with the owner’s permission.
Red Routes (major roads in Greater London marked with single or double red lines).
Transport for London provides information on Blue Badge concessions for roads with priority (red) route controls. For details, call 0845 305 1234 or visit their website.
A few Red Routes exist outside London. Check with the local council for parking restrictions in these areas.
You can’t park…
Locations where loading or unloading is prohibited, as indicated by kerb markings. Check with the local council to see if they have made an exception allowing Blue Badge holders to park in areas with loading restrictions.
Parking spaces designated for specific users, such as residents’ bays or loading bays. Check with the local council to see if Blue Badge holders are exempt from these restrictions.
Pedestrian crossings (zebra, pelican, toucan, and puffin crossings), including areas marked with zig-zag lines.
Clearways, where stopping is not permitted.
Bus stop clearways during their hours of operation.
Urban clearways during their hours of operation—stopping to pick up or drop off passengers is allowed, but parking is prohibited.
School ‘keep clear’ markings during the times specified on a yellow no-stopping sign.
Bus, tram, or cycle lanes and cycle tracks. Blue Badge holders are not permitted to drive in bus lanes during their operational hours.
Roads with double white lines in the center, even if one line is broken.
Suspended meter bays or when meter use is not permitted.
Areas with temporary parking restrictions, such as those indicated by no-waiting cones.
Travelling to London or Abroad?
London Congestion Charge
As a badge holder, you are exempt from paying the congestion charge in Central London.
To receive a 100% discount, you must first register with Transport for London and pay a £10 registration fee.
You don’t need to own or drive a vehicle to apply. You can register up to two vehicles that you typically use to travel in central London.
For assistance with your application, you can submit an online enquiry or send copies of the required documents by post to:
Congestion Charge
PO Box 344
Darlington
DL1 9QE
Phone: 0343 222 2222
Textphone: 020 7649 9123
EU, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
You can use your UK Blue Badge when travelling in certain EU countries, as well as Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Check which countries accept a UK Blue Badge before you travel.
Parking concessions differ in each country, so be sure to check local regulations before visiting a new destination.
Rest Of The World
Currently, there are no agreements allowing the use of a UK Blue Badge outside the EU, including in countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
However, some places may choose to recognize it. We recommend checking local regulations and available parking concessions before travelling to non-EU countries.
Toll Concessions
Blue Badge holders may qualify for toll exemptions at certain river crossings and toll roads.
Further Information
Benefits and eligibility can be complex issues, and we always encourage you to access specialised support for your situation. You can get free support and advice from The Community Advice Hubs and Citizens Advice Bureau.
More information regarding Blue Badges in Solihull is provided by the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
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