Annex 1

Presentation and Supporting Notes to York Access Forum (YAF) – The CYC Blue Badge Process (29^th September 2023)

(1) – Title page

(2)  - Welcome

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(3) - Blue Badge eligibility

If you have a health condition that affects your mobility, you can apply for a Blue Badge. 

Blue Badges are available on a number of grounds, irrespective of whether the badge holder is travelling as a driver or as a passenger.

Blue Badges provide disabled people with severe mobility problems, or other conditions, the ability to access goods and services, by allowing them to park close to their destination.

(4) - The Blue Badge scheme is governed by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The Department for Transport (DfT) operates the Blue Badge scheme in conjunction with 206 local authorities.

The Department for Transport (DfT) issue all local authorities with clear guidance on how to operate a Blue Badge Scheme. However all Blue Badge applications for residents in York are managed by City of York Council.

(5)  Blue Badges for individuals

All eligible residents are encouraged to apply for a Blue Badge.

Blue Badges for individuals can either be automatic or subject to further assessment.

Each category comes with its own requirements that we’re going to look into on the next slides.

(6)  - You may be eligible for a Blue Badge automatically if you receive:

· Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)

· receive 8 points or more under the “moving around” activity of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

· receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for Descriptor E under the “planning and following journeys” activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress.

· are registered blind (severely sight impaired).

· receive a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement (WPMS) or

· have been both awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and are certified as having an enduring and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

(7)  - You may also be eligible if you have an enduring and substantial disability which causes you, during the course of a journey, to:

· be unable to walk.

· experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress.

· be at risk of serious harm when walking; or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person

· You may also be eligible if you drive a vehicle regularly and:

· are severely disabled in both arms and are unable to operate or have considerable difficulty in operating, all or some types of parking meter.

· This is the eligibility criteria listed in the DfT guidance

(8)  - If you do not qualify for a Blue Badge automatically.

You may need to attend a mobility assessment for us to consider whether you meet the eligibility criteria for a badge.

Assessments are provided by our contracted expert assessors Access Independent, who will contact the applicant within 48 hrs after the referral to book an appoint at the suitable time at two of our locations:

· West offices or

· Folk Hall, Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick

· Blue Badges for those with hidden conditions

(9) The extended eligibility for a Blue Badge for those with non-visible conditions, like Parkinson’s or autism, has happened quite recently.

Blue Badge legislation was updated in 2019 to extend eligibility to those with hidden conditions. But the assessment approach remains the same, and the Blue Badge applications on the grounds of hidden conditions go through the same assessment process and may be subject to further independent assessment, which usually takes place as a desk based assessment by our independent providers Access Independent

(10)  - Blue badges for those with hidden disabilities

You will be able to obtain a badge automatically if you receive the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and have obtained 10 points specifically for Descriptor E under the “planning and following journeys” activity.

Please be aware that if you're in receipt of 10 points for Descriptor D, or 12 points for Descriptor F under the ‘planning and following journeys’ mobility activity, you do not qualify automatically.

(11)  - You may still be eligible for a Blue Badge….

You may still be eligible for a Blue Badge if you have an enduring (lasting for at least 3 years) and substantial disability that means that you:

· are unable to walk.

· experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress.

· are at risk of serious harm when walking; or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person.

(12)  - Department for Transport (DfT) Blue Badge research: eligibility for people with non-visible disabilities

For those who wish to understand  the ‘hidden’ (non-visible) condition criteria, please read the research undertaken by Department for Transport

You can find this document online on GOV.UK.

We use this guidance to help determine Blue Badge eligibility, especially for those who are applying with:

· Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease

· Chronic Pain or Fatigue

· Autism

(13) - Blue Badge application process:

There are a few different methods of how you can apply for a Blue Badge.

We recommend customers to apply Online, using a governmental portal. You can access this by following the link on the slide.

The portal will provide you with the helpful information regarding all aspects of your application and will provide you with the questions relevant to your condition based on your answers.

You can visit West Offices to use a self-serve PC to complete your online application for a Blue Badge if you don't have access to the internet.

If you're having difficulty completing your online Blue Badge application yourself, you can make an appointment with customer services at West Offices. 

Blue Badge application appointments last 45 minutes and are available Monday to Friday.

You can book your appointment by calling this number 01904 551550.

During your appointment we can have your photograph taken, help with your application and help upload your documents.

We recommend that you apply for a Blue Badge online as it's the quickest and way to apply. However, if you're unable to complete an online application, our Blue Badge Team can provide you with a paper application form, which can be requested by calling our Blue Badge team 01904 552522.

(14) - Evidence in support of your application

The majority of applications will require an assessment in order for us to consider Blue Badge eligibility. Therefore if you're applying for a Blue Badge it is essential that you provide medical evidence to support your application, such as:

· diagnosis letters

· patient summaries

· Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP)

· details of any disability benefits received.

· documents for any treatment or medication you receive to help you manage your condition.

Please note that the above documents will not result in a badge being issued automatically but will help us to determine your eligibility.

If you don't meet the automatic qualifying criteria there may be a requirement for you to provide further information from a clinical professional involved in your care or to attend an independent mobility assessment.

(15) - Issuing Blue Badges

There is a £10 fee required for an application. Your payment will be taken when we receive your application, however, if your application is rejected your payment will be refunded.

We will aim to process your application within 4 to 6 weeks. Those which require further assessment may take longer.

(16)  - Statistics from 1^st August 2022 to 31^st July 2023

Total volume of applications	Issued	Refused
	3282 (82.5%)	698 (17.5%)
Eligibility criteria	Automatic	Non-automatic
	1280 (32.2%)	2700 (67.8%)
Physical Assessments	Approved	Refused
	606 (73.6%)	218 (26.4%)

(17)  - Appeals process:

If you are application is refused, you can appeal.  The City of York Council has 2 appeal stages.

Stage 1

If your application is refused, you can appeal. City of York Council has 2 appeal stages.

Appeals must be made in writing within 28 days of the date of the original decision letter to Business Support, Blue Badges, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA.

or by email to BlueBadge@york.gov.uk

You do not need to submit another application form, but you should consider the following:

· Explain why you are appealing the decision not to issue you a Blue Badge 

· Include further information to explain why you believe you meet the criteria.

· Include any new medical or benefit evidence, for example changes to relevant benefits or further information from your GP or other medical professional.

Appeal stage 2

· If you have been refused after your first appeal and still consider that you meet the eligibility criteria, you can appeal a second time within 10 days of the date of the letter refusing a badge at Appeal Stage 1. 

· The appeal will be considered by a manager who was not previously involved in the original assessment. A stage 2 appeal must be accompanied by additional information.

(18) - Appeal statistics 1^st Aug 22 – 31^st Jul 23

· 38 appeals from 698 refused applications, 5.4% appeal rate.

· From the 38 appeals received 12 reached stage 2 appeal

· 12 appeals overturned at stage 1

· 6 appeals overturned at stage 2

· 18 applications eligible after appeal

(19) – Thank you