Individuals with specific medical conditions might be eligible for a partial or complete reduction in their council tax, resulting in significant savings. According to MoneySavingExpert (MSE), hundreds of thousands of people in England, Scotland, and Wales may be entitled to this reduction but haven’t claimed it.
After council tax bills rose in April, with almost all councils increasing them by up to, or close to, the maximum rate allowed, it is more important than ever for eligible households to claim the reduction. On average, council tax has gone up by 5.1% over the past two years.
Since April 1, the average annual Band D bill is now £2,280, up by £109 from last year and a 20% increase from five years ago, when the average bill was £1,898. However, people classed as “severely mentally impaired” might be able to claim a 50% discount on their bill – or, in severe cases, have the bill wiped entirely, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The government states that to qualify for the discount, a person must meet two criteria:
According to MSE, medical conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, severe learning difficulties, and other specific conditions may qualify for the discount. The full list is below:
- Dementia (including Alzheimer’s)
- Parkinson’s
- Severe learning difficulties
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
- Severe stroke
- Schizophrenia
The granting of a council tax discount for individuals with severe mental impairments (SMI) is contingent on personal circumstances, and a diagnosis alone does not guarantee eligibility.
MSE clarifies: “You can be diagnosed as SMI as a result of a range of conditions – which could include things like dementia, Schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, having had a stroke, or having had an accident which permanently affects your intelligence and social functioning.
“Many conditions can underlie being SMI, but no condition means a person is definitely also SMI. Being SMI is a doctor’s diagnosis in its own right.”
A medical professional must certify that an individual is “severely mentally impaired” to qualify for the council tax discount.
Legally, someone is considered severely mentally impaired if they suffer from “a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which appears to be permanent”.
What are the additional criteria?
Eligibility for the discount also requires proof of claiming certain benefits, or sometimes just eligibility for them.
Potential qualifying benefits include:
- Attendance Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Income Support
- Personal Independence Payment
For more details, visit the gov.uk website or check with local councils for comprehensive eligibility requirements for the discount.
How much of a reduction can you receive on your council tax?
Living alone entitles you to a 100% council tax discount, effectively meaning there’s no council tax to pay.
You might be eligible for a 50% discount on your council tax bill if you’re the only resident not ‘disregarded’ from council tax – those who aren’t counted when determining the number of people in a household, such as individuals under 18, apprentices on certain schemes, full-time students, live-in carers and diplomats.
If there’s one other person living with you who isn’t discounted, then you could receive a 25% discount.
Depending on your local council, you might also be able to claim back payments.
As per MSE, some councils may backdate the discount by up to six years, but each council has its own policy and they are not legally required to backdate the discount.
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