Applying for a Blue Badge

The Blue Badge is a concession which helps severely disabled persons with permanent and substantial mobility problems to park close to the place they need to visit.

The eligibility criteria is decided by Welsh Government, however, each local authority is responsible for administering the scheme and determining eligibility for applicants who permanently reside in their area.

Am I entitled to a Blue Badge?

All applicants must be the driver or passenger in a vehicle when using a Blue Badge. To find out if you are entitled to a Blue Badge, and what medical/disability benefits evidence you need to provide please read the Welsh Government leaflet below “Who is eligible for a Blue Badge?”   

Please note: The onus is on the applicant to provide the necessary supporting evidence when applying for a blue badge. If independent medical evidence is required to support the application (i.e. Discretionary, Temporary and Cognitive), any cost incurred is met by the applicant.  

How to apply/re-apply for a Blue Badge?

Before applying/re-applying please check if you meet the eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge by reading the leaflet above which is entitled “Who is eligible for a Blue Badge?”. This leaflet also confirms what evidence and information needs to be provided to support your application. Once you have read the leaflet you can either apply/re-apply for a Blue Badge online or in person. 

Please click here to apply/re-apply online:

 

If you wish to attend in person, you need to visit a One Stop Shop, these are situated in the reception area of:

The Civic Centre, Port Talbot,  SA13 1PJ

or

The Civic Centre, Neath,  SA11 3QZ

No appointment is necessary, however please note opening times for Blue Badge applications:

  • Monday to Thursday: 9am – 12 noon, and 2pm to 4.00pm
  • Friday: 9am – 12 noon, and 2pm to 3.30pm.

Please do not attend between 12 noon and 2pm. 

Other evidence required

  • Proof of address/identity i.e. passport, drivers licence, utility bill
  • Proof you qualify automatically for a Blue Badge i.e. disability benefit entitlement - see page 3 of the leaflet "Who is eligible for a Blue Badge?"
  • If you do not qualify automatically and are not in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you will need to provide evidence of your discretionary entitlement - see page 4 of the leaflet "Who is eligible for a Blue Badge?"
  • Your National Insurance number
  • Passport standard photo (or one can be taken for a fee of £5 in attending in person).

Online Applications

Once you have submitted your online application it will be checked and verified by NPT Council.

We may contact you for further information about your application.

Please ensure you answer any emails we send you or reply to any telephone messages/calls we make to you as soon as possible. Otherwise your application will be delayed or unable to process.

Once all relevant information is received and we are successfully able to process your application your new badge will be sent to the address you provided within 2 weeks. Please ensure that the address on your application is correct. If you are re-applying for a blue badge we would expect your old badge to be returned once it has expired so that it can be cancelled and destroyed appropriately - please see 'Other Information' section for where to return badges.

If your application is unsuccessful we will contact you to explain why.

Blue Badge Applications – in person

For those who attend in person you will be informed whether your application has been successful, unsuccessful or if we require more information at the time of your visit.

If your application is successful your new badge will be sent to the address you provided within 2 weeks.

If your application is unsuccessful we will explain why.

Applicants under 65 years:

If you are under the age of 65 years, you may be entitled to claim a mobility related benefit from the Department of Work and Pensions.  

We recommend that Blue Badge applicants who are under the age of 65 years should firstly apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

If awarded, this will help you financially, and also serve as the relevant medical evidence required when applying for a Blue Badge.

Blue Badge Holder’s Responsibilities:

In accordance with the responsibilities of the badge holder, whether your re-application is successful or unsuccessful you have a duty to ensure the return of an expired badge to the Authority. 

Lost, stolen, or damaged Blue Badges:

Badges can be replaced for a charge of £10 (you may need to prove you are still eligible to receive one) - see ‘How to apply/re-apply for a Blue Badge?’

Once reported lost/stolen or damaged, we will cancel the badge, so if it is found at a later date it will not be valid and should be returned to us immediately

Found badges:

Please return any found Blue Badges to us, stating where and when found.

Where to return Blue Badges:

If you need to return a Blue Badge please send to :

Customer Services, One Stop Shop, Civic Centre, Neath, SA11 3QZ

Contact Information

If you need further information on Blue Badges, please contact us:

By email: onestopshopneath@npt.gov.uk

By telephone: 01639 686868

The badge and its concessions are for the named person on the badge only. It is a criminal offence for the holder, or anyone else, to misuse the badge, and doing so could lead to a £1000 fine and result in the confiscation of the Blue Badge

Rights and Responsibilities of Blue Badge holders

To find out more about your rights and responsibilities please visit the Welsh Government information booklet

A Blue Badge may be issued to an organisation responsible for the care and transport of disabled people. There is a fee of £10 for each badge. An initial application for an Organisational Badge can be made online. However a senior member of your organisation will be required to attend in person at either Neath of Port Talbot One Stop Shop with the appropriate evidence (see below) and fee.

Evidence required:

Proof of address which shows your Organisation’s current address, such as:

  • a recent bill from a utility company
  • a recent letter from a government department, such as HMRC

Plus a £10 fee (cash at the One Stop Shop when you visit).