Other financial support for Adults

Disabled parkingBlue Badge

A Blue Badge is a badge that allows people with disabilities to park closer to their destination. It can be used on-street in designated disabled parking bays and off-street in car parks, showing the Blue Badge symbol.

Who can apply for a Blue Badge?

You can apply for a Blue Badge if you have a severe mobility difficulty, whether it’s permanent or temporary. This could be because of:

  • a walking difficulty that covers a distance of about 50 metres
  • difficulty getting to or from a vehicle

You can also apply if you’re blind, partially sighted or have a severe mental disability that affects your ability to park.

How to apply for a Blue Badge

You can apply for a Blue Badge online through your local council’s website or government website. You will need to provide some documentation, such as a letter from your doctor or other healthcare professional.

How to use a Blue Badge

When you park using your Blue Badge, you must:

  • display the badge clearly on the windscreen of your vehicle
  • ensure the clock portion of the badge shows your arrival time

Submission and Processing:

  • Once you’ve completed the application and uploaded the required documents, submit it online.
  • Your local council will then process your application, which may involve contacting you for further information.
  • There may be a fee associated with obtaining a Blue Badge, which varies depending on the region (up to £10 in England, £20 in Scotland, free in Wales).

Additional Points:

  • Some councils may still offer paper applications. Contact your local council to inquire about their preferred method.
  • The processing time can vary, so factor that in when applying.
  • Remember to reapply before your current Blue Badge expires (usually valid for up to 3 years).
  • It is an offence to misuse a Blue Badge. This could include using someone else’s badge, parking in a disabled bay without a badge, or not displaying the badge correctly. You could be fined up to £1000 for misusing a Blue Badge.

Vehicle tax exemption

Vehicle tax exemption, also known as exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), applies to certain categories of vehicles in the UK as of 2024. Here’s a breakdown:

Who gets it:

  • Fully Electric Vehicles (EVs): These are the only vehicles completely exempt from VED. This exemption is planned to end from April 2025 onwards, with EVs subject to a lower tax rate.
  • Other categories (with some exceptions):
    • Vehicles used by a disabled person (requires applying for disability exemption)
    • Disabled passenger vehicles
    • Historic vehicles (usually over 40 years old)
    • Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

Important notes:

  • The exemption for EVs applies only if they are fully electric. Hybrid or plug-in hybrids no longer qualify for the full exemption.
  • There might be specific requirements or limitations within each exemption category.

For a comprehensive list and details, you can refer to the official UK government website on vehicles exempt from vehicle tax.


Reduced Vehicle Tax:

  • You qualify for a discount on your vehicle tax if you receive either:
    • The standard rate mobility component of PIP. This offers a 50% reduction in vehicle tax.
    • The enhanced rate mobility component of PIP. This provides a full exemption from vehicle tax.

Find out if you are eligible for vehicle tax exemption or tax reduction.

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