Blue badge online application?

GlasweJen

I applied online for my blue badge, up until yesterday when I tracked the application online it said 28/05/14 - application has been received by Glasgow City council.

Now I've sent my HRM letter as proof of address and entitlement , certified passport copy (certified by a work colleague who is an optometrist), and my passport sized photo to the PO box address blue badge website gave me last week.

Today when I logged in it just says today's date.

So I called the councils blue badge team who told me I have to take the evidence to George Square in Glasgow to get it scanned onto the system. I told them I'd posted it in and they said that someone from the council has to physically see it.

Now what I want to know is has anyone else applied online, posted in the documents and been given a badge without traipsing to a council office? I wouldn't mind but George square is a nightmare to park on at the best of times never mind when half of Glasgow is in commonwealth shut down mode.

Also I'm so used to being mid advised by the council I'm wondering if I go in will I be told "oh we already have all of this and just need your £20"?

DomRavioli

If they say they need to physically see you and the documents, then that is what you will have to do; they may scan them, but they may also put your application on hold until you do as they have requested - as inconvenient as it may be, it is less inconvenient than having no BB.

GlasweJen

The website said that you have the option of taking them to the council or getting them certified and posted in though?

They messed about with my last badge and I really just wish they'd make their materials clearer so I knew where I stood. Last time they put my application on hold and didn't tell me because they wouldn't accept my HRM letter as proof of address even though it was an example on the application.

GlasweJen

And the problem is as I don't have a badge I can't access the council office to show them my stuff and apparently I have to go in person.

DomRavioli

Weird - I don't know what to suggest. Maybe give it a couple of days and see if you get your docs back? Might be that the person you spoke to isn't aware that you can send them by post.

GlasweJen

I couldn't get to George square until next Friday anyway so if I don't have word by then I will try to get into the council offices.

dori2o

This is why the online application option was never going to be viable, there is too much information that is needed in addition to the application form to make online applications simple.

Check the online details again and if they definately say you can send certified documents direct to them then call again and demand to speak to a manager and tell them what the website says and where it says it.

Personally I would always try and steer people away from the online application. The paper application is much easier and all docs are sent (having been certified) with the application form.

I personally don't see why they had to make the whole process so complicated.

GlasweJen

I've double checked and it definitely says you can send certified documents, the confirmation email even gives the address they've to be sent to with a checklist and a printable front page for them.

TOBRUK

GlasweJen wrote: »

I applied online for my blue badge, up until yesterday when I tracked the application online it said 28/05/14 - application has been received by Glasgow City council.
...
So I called the councils blue badge team who told me I have to take the evidence to George Square in Glasgow to get it scanned onto the system. I told them I'd posted it in and they said that someone from the council has to physically see it.

Now what I want to know is has anyone else applied online, posted in the documents and been given a badge without traipsing to a council office? ....

Hi GlasweJen, Yes, this time (about a month ago) I did fill in the form online to renew my blue badge which I had not done before. It does state on the online form that you can post the required docs and photos to them - which I did, although it does give you the option of 'uploading' these requirements online, including a photo. Then as you did, I checked the 'tracking' they provide to check progress (everyday) as I was wondering how this would work.

The first few days the tracking information stated that they were awaiting docs, which was understandable. Then the status changed to - (can't remember exact wording)your blue badge has been sent to be printed. From applying to receiving my new badge took around 10 days (with the weekend inbetween) in all with no need to go to council offices.

I know that councils work differently because last time I needed a renewal I was living in another county and they charged £2.00 (admin charges!) to process it and I did it all through application by post only.

I really think that you should phone the council dealing with your application and speak to someone who is in the know! You do not need to go personally, but maybe they don't accept photocopies of anything - they may need to see original docs. I did send a copy of my birth certificate as I wasn't going to trust this not going missing! I sent the original docs of other required information and posted them by recorded post.
Good luck, something that should work smoothly is obviously not happening in every council!

GlasweJen

Well a nice man from the council called today to collect my payment (I didn't fill it out online) and told me the badge can take up to 10 weeks.

I thought that's a bit cheeky, 10 week turn around bit charging £20 for the admin costs! Oh well I can't complain really.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

I did mine online & just posted copies of the relevant documents.