Oldham Council Tax Disability Discount

sparklegrrrl

Hello, I receive DLA for both care and mobility at the lower rates and I've just discovered that I can apply for a council tax discount.

Though I am slightly confused by the grounds for application; the only one I'd qualify for is "a room which is predominantly used by and required for meeting the needs of the disabled person".

I cannot see anywhere (Oldham's or DirectGov's website) a definition of this room.

I do have a front room, which is only used by me during the day when my husband is at work. This room has my comfortable chair, a tv/radio and all the things I need to look after our baby too — such as changing station and extra clothes, which is all set up on our floor because I find it difficulty to stand for long periods. When my husband is back home I sit in the lounge (or bed) with him — he does all cooking/cleaning etc...

Does anyone have any experience with this, and would this qualify as an additional room?

Thanks!

dmg24

No, it will not.

sunnyone

sparklegrrrl wrote: »

Hello, I receive DLA for both care and mobility at the lower rates and I've just discovered that I can apply for a council tax discount.

Though I am slightly confused by the grounds for application; the only one I'd qualify for is "a room which is predominantly used by and required for meeting the needs of the disabled person".

I cannot see anywhere (Oldham's or DirectGov's website) a definition of this room.

I do have a front room, which is only used by me during the day when my husband is at work. This room has my comfortable chair, a tv/radio and all the things I need to look after our baby too — such as changing station and extra clothes, which is all set up on our floor because I find it difficulty to stand for long periods. When my husband is back home I sit in the lounge (or bed) with him — he does all cooking/cleaning etc...

Does anyone have any experience with this, and would this qualify as an additional room?

Thanks!

No you wont get a discount, I do and its not easy to get one and a room that you use all day while looking after your baby will never in a month of sundays count for a band reduction or the lowest band reduction of ct.

Since you only get low rate of both componants I cant see you ever getting the discount on any of the disability grounds.

kingfisherblue

According to my council's website, the additional room must be either a kitchen or bathroom, or the disabled person must use a wheelchair indoors. I get the discount for my son, as we have a downstairs wetroom for him.

ETA: http://www.sthelens.gov.uk/page.htm?id=534

sunnyone

kingfisherblue wrote: »

According to my council's website, the additional room must be either a kitchen or bathroom, or the disabled person must use a wheelchair indoors. I get the discount for my son, as we have a downstairs wetroom for him.

I get mine for wheeling around indoors, I cant stand or walk at all and I was refused the reduction when I could stand and use crutches to drag my useless legs a couple of steps.

dazzadub

you do get the dla premium which gives you extra help with council tax and rent but wont lower your banding

kingfisherblue

sunnyone wrote: »

I get mine for wheeling around indoors, I cant stand or walk at all and I was refused the reduction when I could stand and use crutches to drag my useless legs a couple of steps.

I would imagine that the criteria is standard across different councils. I know that my council also check that my son is still living with me each year (he's only 12!), as the discount would be withdrawn if he lived elsewhere. My son also uses a wheelchair, but not indoors.

It seems unfair that your discount was withdrawn when you tried to keep on the move, but your disability was still so great that you could only manage a couple of steps. I know that a line has to be drawn somewhere, but that's a bit harsh IMO.

sunnyone

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I would imagine that the criteria is standard across different councils. I know that my council also check that my son is still living with me each year (he's only 12!), as the discount would be withdrawn if he lived elsewhere. My son also uses a wheelchair, but not indoors.

It seems unfair that your discount was withdrawn when you tried to keep on the move, but your disability was still so great that you could only manage a couple of steps. I know that a line has to be drawn somewhere, but that's a bit harsh IMO.

I believe that the rules are standard and I get a form every year to sign too or the year before last I got a visit to see the damaged doors/skirting boards etc, which prove that I need a wheelchair indoors

I was pretty annoyed at the time I was refused because medically I shouldnt have been able to stand/drag at all and my doctors were quite happy to write to the council but I was asked and I told the truth, Im a carp liar so I dont both anymore.

sparklegrrrl

Thanks for your helpful replies. I guess there's no harm in me applying; the room is solely for my use because I find it difficult using other rooms, ie kitchen and the proper nursery/changing station upstairs. The room is my one and only base for the day till Mr sparklegrrrl gets home. From looking at the vague grounds for application on Oldham's website, I certainly think I should apply.

Will keep you all updated!

Indie_Kid

sparklegrrrl wrote: »

Thanks for your helpful replies. I guess there's no harm in me applying; the room is solely for my use because I find it difficult using other rooms, ie kitchen and the proper nursery/changing station upstairs. The room is my one and only base for the day till Mr sparklegrrrl gets home. From looking at the vague grounds for application on Oldham's website, I certainly think I should apply.

Will keep you all updated!

But you use it to change your baby in. It would be different if you had to keep equipment such as a CCTV magnifier, etc. in a room that was just for your own use.

From what you've said, the equipment you use hasn't been adapted - it just seems as though you use a different room.

GlasweJen

The room for disabled people is things like a wet room, a place where a home kidney dialysis machine is kept, storage for oxygen tanks, adaptive kitchens, a sensory room for someone who is severely neurologically impaired. It is not your sitting room with your babies things in it, my sister keeps her kids stuff in their sitting room and she only has 1 hand, surely she should get a discount too?

This discount is for severely disabled people, you're only on low components of DLA. There's trying to save money and there's trying to rip the !!!! and OP, you definitely fall into the latter camp.