Blue Badges

Adult Social Care operates the Blue Badge Scheme on behalf of the Department for Transport. The scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties.

Blue Badge changes

  • A new Blue Badge is being launched from 1 January 2012 in England and Scotland and later in Wales. It is part of the UK Government’s reform programme.
  • From 1 January 2012, badges will now cost ten pounds.
  • There will be a new national helpline for general enquiries for Blue Badges that will signpost callers to the relevant local authority.
  • There will also be an eligibility checker for those who want to find out if they are eligible for a badge. You can find more information on the Department for Transport website [external link]


How do I get a Blue Badge?

You are automatically eligible for a Blue Badge without an assessment if you:

  • Receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
  • Receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
  • Receive an award from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
  • Are registered blind

You may be eligible for a Blue Badge subject to an assessment. For more information you can view the Blue Badge pages on the Department for Transport website [external link]

Children under the age of three may be issued a badge due to specific medical problems, a need to travel with bulky equipment or a need to be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment.



How to apply for a Blue Badge

If you live in the Borough of Darlington and you think you may be entitled to a badge, you should apply to Darlington Adult Social Care. You can:

and return the completed form to:

Intake Team
Adult Social Care
Central House
Gladstone Street
Darlington
DL3 6JX

Telephone: 01325 346200

You can contact us to apply for a Blue Badge, in which case, we can send you a form out in the post. If, for whatever reason you are unable to, or have no-one to help with the completion of an application form, please ring 01325 346200, or visit this department, in order that assistance can be arranged.



Renewing your badge

For information on lost badges or renewing your badge contact the Intake Team on 01325 346200.



Further Information

You might also want to look at:
Concessionary Travel [external link]
Department of Transport website [external link]