Other financial support for Adults
Disabled parking – Blue 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.