Blue Badge, Freedom Pass & Taxicard
At Inspire, we are proud to handle the assessment process for the issue of Blue Badges and freedom passes for people of all ages with disabilities, on behalf of the London Borough of Bexley
How to Apply for a Blue Badge
Automatic eligibility (no mobility assessment usually needed) – for age 2+ if you:
- Get the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA); or
- Get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with 8+ points on “moving around” (mobility component) and at least 8 months left on the award; or
- Are registered as severely sight impaired (blind); or
- Get War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or AFCS tariff 1–8; or
- For “hidden disabilities”: score 10 points under PIP Activity 11, Descriptor E (“cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress”).
Discretionary eligibility (may need assessment):
- Very substantial and enduring difficulty walking or inability to walk; or
- Severe disability in both arms and you drive regularly and struggle to use parking meters; or
- When walking, you’re at risk of serious harm or pose such a risk to others.
The following are typically required:
Photo ID:
- Passport, driving licence, or birth certificate plus marriage certificate.
Proof of address (Bexley resident):
- Recent council tax bill, utility bill, or bank statement (within last 3 months).
- Recent passport-style photograph.
Medical information (if relevant):
- Hospital/clinic letters, diagnosis letters, treatment letters, GP “encounter report”, repeat prescription list.
Benefit/award letters (if applicable):
- PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, etc., showing points and components.
- National Insurance number.
Contact details:
- Current email address and phone number.
If online isn’t easy, Inspire can help you complete it:
Visit:
Inspire Living Solutions & Mobility Shop
50 High Street, Sidcup, DA14 6EH
Phone:
020 8300 6038 to book an appointment or ask questions.
Take your documents and they can assist you to submit the online form correctly.
If you don’t qualify automatically:
Inspire may invite you to a mobility assessment to understand how your condition affects your walking or journeys.
They may also contact your consultant/GP for more information (with your consent).
Inspire aim to process applications within about 6 weeks from receipt of a complete application.
Applying well before an existing badge expires helps ensure continuity.
If your application is approved, you’ll be told when the badge is ready.
You must collect the badge in person (even for renewals).
What to expect on Assessment Day
Freedom Pass
This scheme is operated by Inspire Community trust on behalf on the London Borough of Bexley. The Freedom Pass allows for free travel on London’s public transport, 24 hours a day on buses, tubes, trams, DLR and off peak travel on National Rail, within the Freedom Pass boundary. All older pass holders and most disabled pass holders can also travel for free on local bus services anywhere in England after peak hours.
The Freedom Pass is paid for by your local council and the scheme is managed by London Councils on behalf of the London boroughs.
You can apply for your freedom pass by downloading the below forms and returning via email and get more information by emailing travelawards@inspirecommunitytrust.org
Please note Inspire will only accept applications for residents of the London Borough of Bexley
Replacement fee for a freedom pass is currently £14.
Useful Links
Taxi Card
The scheme allows Londoners who have restricted mobility which prevents them from using buses or trains to travel in contractors’ licensed radio taxis, black cabs, at subsidised rates. To be eligible users must be virtually unable to use buses or trains because of either blindness or any permanent or long term disability or injury which seriously impairs the ability to walk.
For further details visit London Councils – Taxi Card Scheme.
