Unofficial website for Blue Badge Scheme – don’t be caught out

We have been informed by the Seashell Trust of the following:

Apparently  there is an unofficial website which is tricking people into paying more than necessary when applying for their Blue Badge.

The Blue Badge scheme enables disabled people to park closer to their destination, and anyone who thinks they may be entitled has to apply online to their Local Authority for a badge.

We have been made aware of a website which is wrongfully charging people more for the application – please be vigilant.

If you google ‘blue badge’ the first website that comes up is http://www.bluebadgeonline.org/ but, as stated on the site, this is not an official government website. It will take users through a short application and then ask for a payment of £49 to process the application.

Those who apply in this way are then emailed a link to download a form which must be completed and sent to their Local Authority. But as this isn’t an official application form, the Local Authority will then send out their own form to complete – and if successful, the applicant then has to pay the normal fee of £10 for the badge (processing costs). This should be the only charge made for a Blue Badge.

You should apply directly to your local council otherwise you will be charged an additional £49 to complete a form that is totally unnecessary.