Review of the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme
(The Blue Badge Scheme)
Recommendations for change

2. Eligibility

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 The consensus from consultation responses supports DPTAC's view that the current system of eligibility is inadequate particularly in the approach to the issue of discretionary Badges. Adoption of a national approach to eligibility together with the issuing of clear national guidance, training for Scheme administrators and a tightening of the eligibility criteria would promote the credibility of the Scheme and secure greater consistency in its application across the United Kingdom.

2.2 Eligibility Criteria

Automatic eligibility for a Badge

DPTAC recommend that:

[1] Eligibility should remain linked to the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance and other existing automatic criteria, these being;

• people who receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement;
• people who use a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a Government Health Department;
• people who are registered blind; and
• people who have 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.

2.2.1 From the consultation the consensus was that automatic eligibility should remain linked to the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRDLA) and other existing criteria. DPTAC supports this view.

2.2.2 The automatic eligibility criteria for receipt of a Badge must ensure that disabled people with the greatest mobility need are fully included within the Scheme. However, the Scheme should also take account of the needs of those disabled people with severe independent mobility restraints but who are not eligible for HRDLA.

Assessed Eligibility for a Badge

DPTAC recommend that:

[2] Eligibility is considered in terms of either being "automatic without further assessment" (under the criteria described in recommendation 1) or "eligible subject to further assessment". The terminology `Discretionary' should be replaced with `Assessed Eligibility'.

[3] Eligibility criteria under further assessment should be consistent nationally.

[4] Eligibility criteria under further assessment should only be used for those who;

• are aged 65 or over who, but for their age, would have met the criteria for the higher rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRDLA) or ,
• are under 65 but would qualify for the HRDLA or to be registered blind but have chosen not to do so.

[5] Children under two whose medical needs require the transport of bulky medical equipment at all times should be eligible although this must be subject to further assessment and will need clear definition.

[6] DTLR on behalf of all four UK administrations issue guidance tightly specifying the criteria for further assessment and support training in its application.

[7] There is further research into the independent mobility needs of certain groups of people to determine whether there is a need for extending the eligibility for a Badge. These groups include;

• people with mental health problems
• partially sighted people
• people with severe learning difficulties or severe behavioural difficulties
• people with severe autism

[8] A transitional arrangement be established to enable those people immediately affected by the revised eligibility criteria to retain their Badges until expiry of their current Badge or their next assessment (3 years or less).

2.2.3 The inclusion of discretionary criteria was primarily intended to cover those people who become disabled over the age of 65 who, consequently are ineligible for the HRDLA. However, different local authorities have interpreted the discretionary criteria in different ways leading to variations in eligibility depending on where a person lives. The consultees and DPTAC agree that this variation is a major weakness in the current operation of the Scheme. To address this DPTAC recommends removing local discretion over eligibility, through producing national guidance that those administering the Scheme have to apply. To reinforce this message, we believe it is necessary to amend the terminology from discretionary to assessed eligibility.

2.2.4 The consensus amongst all consultation respondents was that some form of further assessed criteria was essential as a safety net for those not covered under the HRDLA and other automatic criteria. DPTAC agree.

2.2.5 There was no consensus from the consultation on who should be eligible from this further assessment. Although a large minority agree that discretionary criteria should apply to those who, but for their age, would have met the requirements for HRDLA, a slight majority believe the criteria must be needs-led and not just age restricted.

2.2.6 There were also many respondents who believed additional groups of disabled people should be eligible under the Scheme.

2.2.7 DPTAC support the view that the criteria must be needs led. Therefore, we believe it is necessary to include people who either because of their age or because they have chosen (for whatever reason) not to claim DLA, would meet the requirements for HRDLA. However, these people will require a further assessment to demonstrate their eligibility for a Badge.

2.2.8 Calls were made to extend the Scheme to people, who while capable of physically walking, have severe difficulty in doing so independently and would benefit from being eligible for a Badge. However, there was no consensus in relation to who this would apply to and some opposition to broadening eligibility for the Scheme.

2.2.9 On balance, DPTAC believe that further research is necessary to better understand the independent mobility needs of people with mental health problems, partially sighted people, people with severe autism, severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. This research should consider broad mobility needs in seeking to justify whether a Badge, or alternative solution is necessary. Various organisations, including the Disability Rights Commission, advocated this approach.

2.2.10 The current eligibility criteria apply only to people over the age of two. There is almost unanimous agreement across all respondents that children under two whose needs require the transport of bulky medical equipment at all times should be eligible for a Badge.

2.2.11 DPTAC support including this group at the earliest opportunity but consider it necessary to clearly define the conditions that would make children under two eligible. There will be some element of judgement in relation to eligibility and therefore a further assessment of each case will be required (unlike other automatic criteria). It is estimated that only a small number of children with specific requirements (approximately 12,000) would benefit by this change.

2.2.12 Changes to the eligibility criteria should be phased in to ensure those who would no longer be entitled to a Badge continue to receive the concession until their next assessment (3 years or less).

2.3 Assessing Eligibility for a Badge

DPTAC recommend that:

[9] Assessments of independent mobility are required where people do not automatically qualify and should be undertaken by an accredited health professional, other than the applicant's GP, in line with DTLR guidance.

[10] Local authority staff should, following appropriate training, process the application on the basis of DTLR guidance and the independent mobility assessment.

2.3.1 For those people not qualifying automatically, there was general consensus regarding the need for a fair, easy to interpret and consistent assessment of eligibility across the United Kingdom.

2.3.2 There was also consensus that some form of professional opinion is needed in most cases. However, a range of options were put forward as to who should undertake such an assessment.

2.3.3 DPTAC believe that such an assessment should be considering the independent mobility of the applicant taking into account the physical, functional and social factors involved.

2.3.4 DPTAC agree with the `slight majority' of respondents that the assessment should be undertaken by a health professional other than the applicants General Practitioner (GP). Removing the GP from the process will also reduce the burden on GPs and is supported by the British Medical Association.

2.3.5 However, such assessments must be available locally and must be undertaken by an accredited health professional who understands mobility needs. Different professionals may undertake the assessment but eligibility for a Badge should always be assessed against national criteria.

2.3.6 The role of local authority staff should be to process the application based on the independent mobility assessment against the national eligibility criteria and issue the Badge.

Published: 18 December 2002

Top of page