Guides › Public Services › Blue Badge Refused or Delayed
Blue Badge Refused or Delayed
Your council decides Blue Badge applications, usually within 12 weeks. A badge costs up to £10 in England, £20 in Scotland and is free in Wales, and usually lasts up to 3 years. If you are refused, the council should tell you why. You can ask it to reconsider if it did not take everything into account, or reapply if your condition gets worse.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Blue Badge Rules
GOV.UK
A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England and £20 in Scotland, and is free in Wales. Badges usually last up to 3 years, and councils usually decide within 12 weeks. Your council should tell you why you are not eligible. You can ask it to reconsider if you think it did not take account of all your information, and reapply if your mobility gets worse. source
Who Can Get One
Some people aged 3 or over qualify automatically. Others may be eligible, including people with non-visible (hidden) conditions, who are asked to give details of their difficulties. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 12 weeksCouncil decisionUsually
- 3 yearsBadge lengthReapply before it runs out
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Ask the council in writing why you were refused.
Step 2 of 5
Send extra evidence it did not consider.
Step 3 of 5
Ask for the decision to be reconsidered.
Step 4 of 5
If still unhappy, use the council complaints process.
Step 5 of 5
Then go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Council
Ask it to reconsider, then complain.
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
Free, after the council's complaints process.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Describe your worst days, not your best, when explaining your difficulties.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/apply-blue-badge Checked 13 October 2026
- gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge Checked 13 October 2026
- lgo.org.uk Checked 8 October 2026