The Blue Badge scheme is an important service for people with severe mobility problems. It allows badge holders to park close to where they need to go.

About the Blue Badge scheme

The Blue Badge scheme offers on-street parking concessions for people with severe mobility problems. Benefits include free on-street parking in ‘pay and display’ bays.

The scheme runs throughout the UK, however this information applies to Northern Ireland residents only.

Find out if you are eligible for a Blue Badge

You can get a Blue Badge if you:

• receive the higher rate of the mobility part of Disability Living Allowance

• receive a War Pension Mobility Supplement

• receive a benefit under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation

Scheme within tariff levels one to eight (inclusive) and have been certified by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) as having a permanent impairment which causes inability to walk or a lot of difficulty walking

• are registered blind

• receive eight points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity for the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• drive a vehicle regularly, have a severe disability in both arms and are unable to use, or have a lot of difficulty using, all or some types of parking meter

• have a permanent disability which means you cannot walk or have a lot of difficulty walking – in this case your doctor may be asked to confirm your eligibility

Children under the age of three

If you have children under the age of three, they may qualify for a badge if they:

• have a disability because of a medical condition and need to travel with bulky equipment or be close to a vehicle for emergency medical treatment

Support organisations

Organisations which care for people with disabilities who meet one of the criteria above may be eligible to apply for a ‘Support Organisation’ badge.

To apply or renew a Blue Badge visit www.nidirect.gov/bluebadge or yo can download an application to fill out and post to:-

• Blue Badge Unit, PO BOX 64, Enniskillen, BT74 0BL

• Telephone: 0300 200 7818

• Email: bluebadges@infastructure.ni.gov.uk

You will need a colour passport size (head & shoulder) photo.

A Blue Badge cost £10.00 and will run for 3 years or will end if mobility part of DLA or mobility rate PIP ends during the 3 year period.

You will be told the outcome of your application within 6-8 weeks of the Blue Badge unit receiving it.