Apply for a Blue Badge

A Blue Badge can help you if you have a disability or health condition by allowing you to park closer to your destination.

Before you apply

Please check Who can get a Blue Badge (eligibility criteria).

If you're a resident of Leicester city, you should apply to Leicester City Council.

If you are applying for an organisation Blue Badge, follow the Organisation application process.

Gather the information required

You will need to provide all relevant information. Failure to provide evidence of eligibility alongside your application may result in your application being refused.

You will need the following information when completing your application:

• proof of name - proof of identity provides a list of acceptable documentation
• proof of address - for under 16s this will be documentation of a parent / carer with the same address - proof of identity provides a list of acceptable documentation
• a recent passport style photo, taken in the last 4 weeks
• proof of benefit – including all pages of the letter and dated within the last 12 months (if applicable)

You may also need to provide information and evidence from healthcare or educational professionals, such as:

• official diagnosis letters
• information about any medication you're currently taking (including dose and frequency)
• information about any treatments or surgery you've had or are due to have, that relate to your condition (including dates, if possible)
• referral letters and / or consultant letters from medical professionals
• an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP)
• any other relevant information or reports that help to demonstrate, your eligibility. It is recommended that supporting information includes:
  • details of the impact of your condition on your ability to make a journey
  • the frequency that these impacts occur and whether they are specifically brought on by making a journey

  Non-visible (hidden) disabilities

  If you have a non-visible (hidden) disability you will need to complete the form below and upload it when prompted, to your application form:

  All applicants are strongly encouraged to submit independent confirmation from healthcare or educational professionals alongside their application.

  Take photos of / or scan your documents

  • You can scan the required images or documents, or take photos of them using a digital camera, tablet or smartphone.
  • Scans and photos should show the full page, including your name and address where relevant so we know that the document refers to you, and text must be clearly legible and not blurred.
  • If your document is double sided and both sides are relevant to your application, don’t forget to scan / photograph each side.

  Documents that are not clear or are incomplete cannot be used and may delay the application process.

  Submit an application

  You can apply for a Blue Badge for yourself or for someone else (if they are not able to complete the online form themselves).

  You'll need a Leicestershire County Council ‘Self’ account to make an application.

  If you don’t have an account, please Create a Self account.

  Organisation application process

  Organisations must complete a paper application.

  Please download and complete the form, and return it to the address shown with photocopies of your documentation (please do not send originals).

  Blue Badge Team
  Customer Service Centre
  County Hall
  Glenfield
  Leicester
  LE3 8ST

  Please do not send the fee with your application. If your application is successful, we'll contact you to collect the fee.

  What happens next

  • Your application will be assessed according to the information provided.
  • You may be invited to attend a face-to-face or telephone assessment with one of our trained expert assessors.
  • You'll then receive a notification of our decision and what you need to do next.
  • Please allow 20 working days for processing your application. If you're invited for a face-to-face assessment, your application may take a little longer.
  What happens if your application is refused

  Request a review of the decision

  If you disagree with the decision to refuse your application, you can request a review of the decision. You must provide further evidence as to why you believe you meet the criteria and may not contest the criteria itself. Independent evidence from healthcare or educational professionals is strongly recommended.

  Please contact us within 28 days of receiving your refusal letter by completing our online form:

  What happens next

  Your application and any new information and evidence you have submitted will be reviewed by an officer who is independent of the initial application process.

  Once the review is complete, we will write to you about the outcome. We aim to do this within 28 days of receiving your request for a review.

  Important Update: Please note that we are currently experiencing some delays in processing Blue Badge appeals, it is currently taking longer than 28 days to process due to the high number of appeals that have been received.

  Please bear with us whilst we work through the applications received.

  If your application is refused after a review has been undertaken you may re-apply after 6-months if there has been a change in your condition and you believe you meet the eligibility criteria at that time. In exceptional circumstances, we will consider re-applications before 6 months if your condition or disability has suddenly and significantly deteriorated. You will need to provide evidence of this change.

  Make a complaint about how your application was handled

  If you think that your application has not been assessed fairly or you are not happy about the way your application was processed, you may make a complaint about how your application has been handled.

  You may also make a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman, who is independent of the County Council, by contacting the Ombudsman’s Advice Team on 0300 061 0614, but note that the Ombudsman would normally have expected the Council to have been given an opportunity to address your complaint before they investigate further.

  Pay for a Blue Badge

  If your application has been successful, we will contact you to request a £10 payment to issue your badge. If we have emailed you, you can pay for your Blue Badge online. Please have your application reference number ready.

  Cancellations and changes

  The Council may cancel your application if you don’t respond within 20 working days to a request we make in connection with your application e.g. to supply further information, attend an independent assessment, or pay the fee.