When to re-apply for Blue Badge?

dodgyfeas

Hi All

My Blue badge is going to expire in March next year. Does anyone know how long before it expires should you re-apply or do I wait till it expires and then send off for a new one?

tarsh

My Daughter's runs out in Feb, so I just checked & in Essex you can renew within 3 months of expiry.

Don't wait until it runs out, or you won't be able to park in disabled spaces etc.

tomtom256

Yeah generally a few months before but check your local councils website as some differ and I know in the past some councils list any delays etc on theirs.

That being said my recent renewal took a week to arrive from re-applying.

Torry_Quine

You should get a renewal form before its due to run out and that should be time.

elsien

They don't send out renewal/reminder forms in my area - they're a bit worried about sending forms out to people who've died and causing distress to families, apparently.

Torry_Quine

elsien wrote: »

They don't send out renewal/reminder forms in my area - they're a bit worried about sending forms out to people who've died and causing distress to families, apparently.

When I recently registered a death one of the things they can cancel is the blue badge. If not then they should be sent back to to avoid mis-use.

NeverEnough

It depends on your local council / social services as it varies from area to area - my partner received a letter and forms about 8 weeks prior to expiry, new badge received literally only a day or two before her old one expired. Apparently most areas have tightened up a great deal and are no longer just renewing them easily, unless of course the holder gets the higher mobility rate of DLA in which case they qualify automatically.

The new badges look like giant credit cards and the letter accompanying it warns you not to use the older badge holders with plastic windows as it damages the hologram on the new badge - you need a holder with a hologram-safe acetate window like those at bluebadgecompany.

tomtom256

NeverEnough wrote: »

It depends on your local council / social services as it varies from area to area - my partner received a letter and forms about 8 weeks prior to expiry, new badge received literally only a day or two before her old one expired. Apparently most areas have tightened up a great deal and are no longer just renewing them easily, unless of course the holder gets the higher mobility rate of DLA in which case they qualify automatically.

The new badges look like giant credit cards and the letter accompanying it warns you not to use the older badge holders with plastic windows as it damages the hologram on the new badge - you need a holder with a hologram-safe acetate window like those at bluebadgecompany.

My new one came with the clock/holder so need for a separate holder as keeps the clock and badge together and fold both ways if you don't need to display the clock.

I thought all new ones came like this?

BobQ

Torry_Quine wrote: »

You should get a renewal form before its due to run out and that should be time.

I'm sure you did not mean this literally.One day before expiry is not enough!

I would get the forms (or apply on line) as soon as your LA allows but 12 weeks is not unreasonable.

Unless you get a badge automatically because you get Mobility element of DLA you first need to allow some time to answer a very long form about your mobility. The LA may give some guidance on how long to allow. Add 4 weeks to this. If you get the badge automatically due to DLA it probably takes less time to make the decison

If you need to have an assessment it will take a week to get an appointment and a week after that to get a decision. It also takes some time get the badge printed.

My relative's badge renewal was applied for in the recommended 6 weeks for her LA and 5 days before expiry had still not got out the pile waiting to be processed and a total refusal to discuss how much longer it would take. Not sure how long it would have taken as I wrote to my local MP who immediately wrote a very critical letter to the CEO of the LA demanding an explanation for the delays and a load of questions that must have taken him a lot of time to answer. As a byproduct my relative got a piece of paper extending the validity of badge for one month and within the two weeks had attended the assessment and received the badge and a grovelling apology with the answers to varios questions.

So apply early (12 weeks) and keep checking if you have no evidence of progress.

pauliboo

You may be able to apply online, but even so you should give 3 months to ensure you don't go without.

Torry_Quine

BobQ wrote: »

I sure you did not mean this literally.One day before expiry is not enough!

I would get the forms (or apply on line) as soon as your LA allows but 12 weeks is not unreasonable.

Unless you get a badge automatically because you get Mobility element of DLA you first need to allow some time to answer a very long form about your mobility. The LA may give some guidance on how long to allow. Add 4 weeks to this. If you get the badge automatically due to DLA it probably takes less time to make the decison

If you need to have an assessment it will take a week to get an appointment and a week after that to get a decision. It also takes some time get the badge printed.

My relative's badge renewal was applied for in the recommended 6 weeks for her LA and 5 days before expiry had still not got out the pile waiting to be processed and a total refusal to discuss how much longer it would take. Not sure how long it would have taken as I wrote to my local MP who immediately wrote a very critical letter to the CEO of the LA demanding an explanation for the delays and a load of questions that must have taken him a lot of time to answer. As a byproduct my relative got a piece of paper extending the validity of badge for one month and within the two weeks had attended the assessment and received the badge and a grovelling apology with the answers to varios questions.

So apply early (12 weeks) and keep checking if you have no evidence of progress.

No I didn't mean the day before just that the council shoul be sending out the reminder for you to return in time to get the new badge. No long questionnaire about mobility either for my elderly relative. Just a few questions about why you can't walk far and the name of the GP. No assesement just a new badge.