Eligibility criteria for non-visible conditions
Only those people who have very significant difficulties will be eligible, for example if they suffer severe psychological distress when undertaking a journey.
What benefits will prove automatic eligibility under the non-visible criteria?
Only people who receive 10 points on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – Specifically for the Mobility Activity, “Planning and following a journey” descriptor E who ‘cannot undertake any journey because it would cause them overwhelming psychological distress’ will be automatically eligible.
Please note that people who have 10 or 12 points for any other descriptor will not be automatically eligible but may be eligible subject to further assessment.
Eligibility subject to further assessment
A person may also be eligible under the hidden (non-visible) criteria if they have a condition or disability, causing them to severely struggle with journeys between a vehicle and their destination, or be a risk of serious harm to themselves or others which could manifest as one or more of the following behaviours;
- becoming physically aggressive towards others, possibly without intent or awareness of the impact their actions may have
- refusing to walk altogether, dropping to the floor, or becoming a dead-weight
- wandering off or running away, possibly without awareness of surroundings or their associated risks (for example, nearby roads, car park environments)
- disobeying, ignoring and/or being unaware of clear instructions.
- experiencing very severe or overwhelming anxiety
- experiencing an overwhelming sense of fear of public/open/busy spaces
- experiencing serious harm or causing harm to others
- avoiding some/all types of journeys due to the kinds of experiences listed above
This list is not exhaustive.
What proof will I need to provide?
If you are automatically eligible, you will need to provide copies of the relevant benefit letters.
If you are not eligible under the automatic criteria, you will need to complete all relevant sections of the online application and provide evidence of your condition; a letter of diagnosis, as up to date as possible and evidence of the progression of the condition over time.
You may also need to provide any of the following to show your eligibility:
- GP medical summary or history letter
- confirmation of ongoing treatments or clinic attendances, or referral for such
- evidence of prescribed medication relevant to your condition
- evidence of specialist consultations, or referral for such
- Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
- Care Plans from social care teams
- social housing letters or assessment reports from a local authority
- letters from other professionals involved in your care
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) decision letters
- evidence of other benefits received
- contact details of professionals who can support your application
- any care plans formal carers follow, that is, 1:1 plans, outside risk assessment documents
- daycentre risk assessment
- medical reports confirming diagnosis
- incident forms/records
- respite hours/day sitting service-proof of frequency/number of hours especially if it is a significant amount
- evidence of incidents in the community, near misses. Documented and diary incidents kept by family and frequency
- psychologist reports
- more specific information about frequency and extent of behaviour, psychological distress, safety issues when out in the community
My mother has dementia and gets very confused, will she be able to get a blue badge?
She will not automatically be eligible due to the diagnosis of dementia alone. However, she may be eligible subject to an assessment. People with dementia (or their relatives on their behalf) will need to provide sufficient information on their application to demonstrate that they experience significant psychological distress when they are walking. They may apply under the existing walking criteria if they have significant mobility issues.
My 10 year old son has autism and often runs off, will he be able to get a blue badge?
No, he will not automatically be eligible due to the diagnosis of autism alone; however, he may be eligible subject to an assessment. You will need to provide sufficient information to demonstrate that he experiences very considerable psychological distress when he is walking.
I have epilepsy, will I be able to get a blue badge?
A diagnosis of epilepsy will not result in automatic eligibility for a blue badge. Your application will need to include information regarding the frequency of the seizures, whether they are controlled by medication and whether the action of walking brings on a seizure.