Changes to the scheme from 1 April 2012

What is changing?

• There will be NO charge for Blue Badges.
• Badges will now be issued by a company called Northgate Information Solutions, although they will still be administered by One Stop Shops locally.
• There will be a new national helpline for general enquiries for Blue Badges that will signpost callers to the relevant local authority.
• You will be able to apply for and renew a badge online via Directgov at www.direct.gov.uk Those applying and renewing online will be able to track the progress of their application. The address for people to use to access the online form will be www.direct.gov.uk/bluebadge
• There will also be an online eligibility checker for those who want to find out if they are eligible for a badge.
• Those who use the on-line application form can sign up for text and email reminders at renewal time.

Applying for or renewing a badge might mean completing a different application form to one you may have completed before. This may also involve providing different / more information including proof of identity and residence. This will allow us to process applications more effectively and make an informed decision about whether or not applicants should have a mobility assessment.

What is staying the same?

• It will still be possible to process applications on site at One Stop Shops, although all badges will now be forwarded directly to applicants at their home addresses.

Benefits of the new scheme

• It will make it easier for the severely disabled people who rely on the Blue Badge scheme to find a parking space.
• The changes will improve customer service and speed up the time it takes to renew Blue Badges.
• The new reminders system will mean that fewer people are penalised for using lapsed Blue Badges.
• The new badge will make it easier to crack down on fraud.
• Badge holders will be able to report lost and stolen badges and update changes to their details online.

If you have any questions about these changes, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/bluebadge for more information or contact Denbighshire Social Services on 01824 712400.

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The Blue Badge Scheme is a national arrangement of parking concessions. 

In Denbighshire, Blue Badges can be used at some of the car parks but please note that all Blue Badge holders (except vehicles fitted with hand controls) are required to pay in these car parks.

You can apply for a badge if:

• you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance.
• you receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement.
• you are registered blind.
• you have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob.
• you have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking.

You can apply for a Blue Badge by contacting our Blue Badge department (please see link on the left for contact details) or by completing, printing and returning the attached form. Once you have applied for a badge, the administration process is normally within 2 working weeks but may be longer if information is required from your GP. The badge lasts for 3 years and when it is up for renewal, you will need to re-apply for another badge – we will not send out a reminder.

Blue Badge Application

On submission of an application form, the £2 admin fee, photos and supporting documentation will also be required to be submitted. If you are successful in qualifying for a badge we will forward the badge to you. You can hand in your documentation / information to any of our One Stop Shops.

If you are unsuccessful in qualifying for a badge, we will write to you and send information about other help that may be of assistance.

If you wish to speak to someone then please contact:

Blue Badge Administrator in Rhyl on 01824 712800 or Ruthin on 01824 712400

The Blue Badge is a two-sided card with a space for a photograph of the badge holder on the back of the card. When applying for the badge you will be asked to send in 2 recent photographs of the badge holder (photos must be of passport photo size).

You must display the badge on top of the dashboard or facia panel of a vehicle with the front of the badge (i.e. the side showing the wheelchair-used symbol) facing forward so that the expiry date is legible from outside of the vehicle when parking.