Council Tax reduction for disabled people

earthmother

mcspanna wrote: »

EDIT: Just realised that it's important to point out that there are actually 2 systems that apply to council tax.

The first which is the one I'm referring to in my original post is a council tax reduction for disabled people information on which is here whereas the other is a council tax reduction for carers information on which is here as far as I'm aware, you can only get one or the other.

You got my hopes up there with the mention of the carer's discount - until I read that it doesn't apply if you are caring for your spouse or child - there's always an 'out' somewhere isn't there :rolleyes:

vixen1500

the children have to be over 18 and then they dont count them, both hubby and myself had to get a letter from the doctor saying we cared for our son for over 35hrs per week - but he had to be in receipt of higher rate care, we each get a 25% discount. And no the house has no adaptions

nanokitten

also worth remembering that a carer is zero rated -
so if there is only a disabled adult and a carer (or other zero rated person such as a student, kids etc) you should get a single persons discount as well.

nickyt

I have just rang to ask about this and was told that to get this I had to have either:
Another bathroom or kitchen for the disabled person
A room for the sole use of a disabled person
Use a wheelchair.

They said if I had none of this I would get nothing from them but might be able to get a reduction for being a low income household but that would be through council tax benefits.

zzzLazyDaisy

After I had my accident I had to move into a bungalow. I need a walk in shower fitting as I can't manage the bath. I live on my own so I just need to adapt the existing bathroom, but it seems that I don't qualify for a coucil tax discount because I don't need an extra bathroom for my needs. Well, i wouldn't as the whole house has been arranged for my needs as I live on my own.

rodent

I got a "discount" as my son is autistic ......by showing quiet room for his sensory needs ....

BUT I DIDN'T GET 25% ..WHAT I GOT WAS A DROP IN THE BANDING BY ONE LEVEL (backdated 2 years)


Is this common ? as most people seem to be stating 25% discount ...which i would rather have as this is a greater financial figure ???

The Rodent

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi yes the drop in the banding by one level is correct for having a room for the use of a disabled person.

The 25% relates to carers - but parents and spouses can't claim that, although carers of adult disabled children can

Daisy x

mrscb

I applied in June as son disabled(read about reduction on mseo thanks:D ) we do have extension for him which is downstairs bedroom and wetroom.council came and and took photos of rooms. a few weekd later had amended council tax bill for this year.i then pushed my luck and e mailed stating extension has been upfor 5 years and this reduction never been mentioned(even by social services who advised about the exension).Anyway after a few weeks had a letter stating they needed to check planning permssion etc and we recently recd cheque for the full 5 years......RESULT:D
its always worth trying for what you can if you are entitled to it....
good luck

stef240377

Have rang Tamworth Borough Council today to ask about this disabled rate and was told the house banding would be dropped to a lower level if OH used wheelchair in the house, had his own bathroom and kitchen or his own private space in the house. I said it was not a disablility converted property and that SS had fitted disability devices around the home to enable OH to move more comfortably. The lady on the phone was quite abrupt and told me we didnt qualify and she would not be sending out a form for it to end up in the bin!

shykins

i filled in the form and my local council sent round a surveyor.. i explained we had installed a downstairs bathroom as i found it hard to walk up the stairs

he said 'i assume this is used JUST by you' he was sort of nodding his head so i said well mainly yes (which is true)... he said thats good enough for me and backdated it for me.. a really nice and helpful man

i would suggest filling in the form and sendig it off as the person who comes is unlikely to be the one u spoke to on the phone (who sounds a right!!!!)

good luck