When an application for a Blue Badge is declined

Grounds for not issuing a Blue Badge 

6.1   The following are grounds for not issuing a Blue Badge:  

• the applicant already holds a valid badge issued by another issuing authority 
• the applicant holds or has held a Blue Badge but either the badge holder or a third party has been convicted for wrongful or fraudulent use of the Blue Badge  
• the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence of eligibility. This includes when an applicant does not provide supporting evidence requested by the Blue Badge team and / or did not attend a face to face assessment arranged by the council  
• the applicant did not pay the £10 Blue Badge issue fee  
• the applicant was unable to provide evidence of residency  
• there are reasonable grounds for believing that the applicant is not the person they claim to be or would permit another person to use the badge 
• A report from an expert assessor confirming an applicant's eligibility has not been made available to the council in a form that is satisfactory  

6.2   Applicants assessed under Type 1 eligibility criteria will not be refused a Blue Badge solely on the grounds that they have not been awarded (or no longer receive) the HRMCDLA or the appropriate PIP score. Their application will be assessed under the Type 2 criteria before a final eligibility decision is made. 

Informing the applicant why their application has been declined 

6.3   The Blue Badge team will write to the applicant / their representative to explain the reason why their application has been declined. 

Right to request a review of the decline decision 

6.4   Applicants / their representative have the right to request a review within six (6) months of the decline decision if they believe that: 

• the application was wrongly declined (see 6.10) or  
• there is new or additional evidence to support their application that has not been considered by the Blue Badge team (see 6.7) 

6.5   Applicants can request a review by completing the Request for Review Form  on the council’s website and sending it to the Blue Badge team together with any new or additional evidence to support the request.  Our staff will provide a paper copy of the form to anyone who is unable to access it for themselves.  

6.6   The Blue Badge team will commence the review process within two (2) weeks of receiving the review request.  

Where applicant provides new or additional medical evidence  

6.7   The Blue Badge team will: 

• arrange for an expert assessor to review the new or additional medical evidence and may require the applicant to attend a face to face assessment with an expert assessor. The expert assessor may, with the applicant’s consent, request further information from a health professional named by the applicant in their review request / supporting information 
• advise the applicant / their representative in writing of the outcome of the review.  If the decline decision is overturned, a Blue Badge will be issued (see section 5) 

6.8   Where the decline decision is upheld, the applicant / their representative may request a review of the decision by the relevant Integrated Social Care Manager whose decision will be final.  

6.9   The Blue Badge team will advise the applicant / their representative in writing of the outcome of the Integrated Social Care Manager’s review.  If the decline decision is overturned, a Blue Badge will be issued (see section 5).     

Where applicant does not provide any new or additional medical evidence  

6.10   Where the applicant is unable to provide new or additional medical evidence to support their case, the relevant Integrated Social Care Manager will review the decline decision. Their decision will be final. 

6.11   The Blue Badge team will advise the applicant / their representative in writing of the outcome of the Integrated Social Care Manager’s review.  If the decline decision is overturned, a Blue Badge will be issued (see section 5). 

Right to re-apply for a Blue Badge 

6.12   Unsuccessful applicants  who believe their condition has changed significantly or who can provide new or additional evidence of their eligibility for a Blue Badge retain the right to:   

• request a review of their original application within six (6) months of the decline decision, or 
• make a new application for a Blue Badge at any time after that period