Do you think you need a blue badge? 

How might a blue badge help?

Badge holders may park on most single or double yellow lines (restrictions apply), can generally park for free in metered on-street parking areas, and can use disabled parking bays.

A blue badge can be used by any driver, so long as the badge holder is a passenger in the car. You do not have to own a car to have a blue badge.

Who issues blue badges?

Your GP surgery does not provide blue badges. They are issued by the Blue Badge Team at your local council.

The application process

For the most current advice on the blue badge application process, please visit East Sussex County Council’s website:

Blue Badge application process | East Sussex County Council

When you apply, you will need to provide:

• 1 recent passport sized photo – you can use a photobooth, or take this photo yourself how to take a good photo for your Blue Badge.
• Your National Insurance Number
• Proof of your identity, i.e. a passport or a driving licence
• Proof of your address
• Proof of any benefits you are receiving (all pages of your benefit letter are required)
• Current medical evidence of why you need a badge
• Payment of £10 – to be made only if application is approved (wait to be asked to pay)

East Sussex County Council provide your local blue badge team. The team works from offices based in Eastbourne Library in Eastbourne town centre.

Blue Badge Team
East Sussex County Council
3rd floor, St Mary’s House
52 St Leonard’s Road
Eastbourne BN21 3UU

Phone: 01323 464 244 (Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm)

Email: [email protected]

The team can send you a paper application form to your home address, or you can collect one from your local library.

Alternatively, you can apply online. The online application is the fastest way to apply.

If you apply online, you will be kept up to date about your application by e-mail.

If you want support completing your paper application, you can contact:

Age UK

Eastbourne Blind Society

Eastbourne Age Concern

Langney Community Library

Please note: There is a 16-week waiting time for applications to be assessed from the date the team receives your application.

Medical Evidence

The blue badge application will ask for medical evidence to support your application.

You do not need a letter from your medical professional, the below documentation will cover the medical information requests.

• The surgery may be able provide you with a medical summary to support your claim, speak to one of your practice’s reception team
• Add all of your relevant health related letters that you have at home i.e. consultant, hospital letters (not appointment letters). These should be dated within the last 12 months, but not older than 3 years.
• Relevant prescriptions should also be included – photographs of medication are not suitable evidence
• Any other documents you hold to prove why you need a blue badge, pop into your application. It is better to provide too much information rather than not enough.
• You can also ask a friend or family member to write a statement explaining why they think you may need a blue badge.
• If the blue badge team need additional medical information, they will contact your surgery directly.

If you use the NHS App, you may be able to download medical information and letters from there directly.

Remember, you are trying to build an evidenced picture of why you need a blue badge to someone who does not know you.

Eligibility Assessments

Please be aware that you may also be required to attend a mobility assessment.

To find out what you need to include, visit Blue Badge application process.

Before you apply, please look at the current eligibility advice on the East Sussex County Council website. Eligibility for Blue Badge | East Sussex County Council

Eligible without further assessment

If you meet one or more of the following you may be eligible for a Blue Badge without further assessment. You must provide proof of your entitlement.

• Higher rate mobility component of the Daily Living Allowance
• Registered blind
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with 8 or more points in the ‘moving around’ category
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with 10 points for category E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, because you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress
• Armed Forces Compensation scheme (tariff 1 to 8 with a permanent or substantial disability)
• War pensioners mobility supplement

Hidden disabilities

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with 10 points for category E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, because you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress or significant mental distress.

You may qualify if you:

• cannot undertake a journey without there being a risk of serious harm to you or another person
• cannot undertake a journey without it causing you very considerable psychological or mental distress
• have very considerable difficulty when walking (both the physical act and experience of walking.

Eligible subject to further assessment

You may still be eligible for a Blue Badge if you do not qualify automatically. This is determined by an assessment.

You may qualify if:

• you drive regularly but have a severe disability that affects both arms
• you have a permanent or substantial disability that means walking is either very difficult or impossible
• you cannot walk or have considerable difficulty walking due to a permanent or substantial physical disability

How to send your documents

You will need to send the Blue Badge Team your supporting documents within 14 days. You can let them know if you need a bit more time. If you do not respond to the team’s requests for information, your application will be cancelled.

The quickest way to send documents is online.

Sending documents online

• If you apply online, you can add digital photos or scans of your documents to the application.
• If you’ve already applied and know your application number, you can submit missing documents and your photo online using our digital assistant. This automated service is located on the right-hand side of the Blue Badge website pages. You will need to say yes to cookies for ‘communications and marketing’ to see it – check your cookie settings.

What to do if you are not sure about eligibility

When you apply online you’ll be asked questions to check that you are eligible for a Blue Badge. Based on your answers, you may be told that you are not eligible.

If you still think you are eligible, email: [email protected]