Discretionary eligibility and how it is assessed
No automatic benefit? You can still qualify on the basis of how walking, or journeys, affect you.
In short
If you do not qualify automatically, your council assesses whether your disability means you cannot walk, find walking very difficult, or face risk to yourself or others during journeys. The council looks at evidence about your condition, and may ask you to attend a mobility assessment with a healthcare professional. Many people get a badge this way.
The discretionary route is for people whose disability or condition affects them significantly, but who do not receive one of the automatic qualifying benefits. It is not a lesser route. It simply means the council looks at your individual situation.
What the council considers
Based on the official criteria, you may be eligible if you:
- cannot walk at all, or cannot walk without help from someone else or a mobility aid;
- find walking very difficult, due to pain, breathlessness, or the time it takes;
- are at risk of serious harm when walking, or pose a risk to yourself or others near vehicles and traffic;
- have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display machines;
- struggle severely to plan or follow a journey, or experience overwhelming distress on journeys.
How the assessment works
You apply in the same way as everyone else, and provide evidence about your condition: how it affects you, your medication and treatment, and which healthcare professionals are involved. The council may decide based on that evidence, or may invite you to an independent mobility assessment with a healthcare professional (often a physiotherapist or occupational therapist). [CONFIRM] exact local process.
Make your evidence count
Describe a typical bad day, not your best day. Be specific about distances, pain, time and risk. Good supporting evidence from people who treat you makes a real difference. Our guide on documents and evidence explains what to gather.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to attend an assessment in person?
Not always. The council may decide on your written evidence, or it may ask you to attend a mobility assessment. It depends on your situation and your council.
How is 'very difficult to walk' judged?
The council looks at distance, speed, pain, breathlessness and the risk walking poses, based on your evidence and any assessment, rather than a single fixed distance.
Last updated: 12 June 2026. We review our guides regularly, but rules change, so always confirm with the official source for your nation.