Alzheimers & Council Tax

zune

My mother in law has progressive Alzheimers & Dementia and still manages to live at home with her husband as her main carer. Despite having been in this condition for some time and her husband receiving a carers allowance we have only just been made aware that she/they are entitled to a 25% reduction in Council Tax.

None of the so called 'care and support professionals' helping her over the past 3 years managed to point this out and her husband has been too focussed on her day to day needs to proactively investigate.

I'm Posting this to (hopefully) raise awareness for anybody in a similar position and if MSE can publicise further that may help. Fortunately they have discovered that they are entitled to payments in arrears totalling £750 which came as a pleasant surprise amongst the pain of living with this awful condition.

SandraScarlett

I have only just found out that my DH can get 12 hours of care from Crossroads, every 4 weeks, for just over £20. I tend to check all the Alzheimer's and Dementia websites periodically, but as you rightly say, nobody, especially the professionals, make you aware of what's out there. I now qualify for someone to visit twice a week, 1.5 hours a time, to give my DH a bath, and I cope with Bed Bath Wipes the rest of the time.


I too only found out about the Council Tax through MSE, but once I had the form, I then gave it to my GP, who gave his diagnosed date as 8 years previous - this was 15 months ago.


We received a cheque for over £2000, so it's worth pursuing. It's a cruel and punishing disease, isn't it, and one that saps your strength as a carer.


I wish you and your family well.


xx

tinkledom

SandraScarlett wrote: »

I have only just found out that my DH can get 12 hours of care from Crossroads, every 4 weeks, for just over £20. I tend to check all the Alzheimer's and Dementia websites periodically, but as you rightly say, nobody, especially the professionals, make you aware of what's out there. I now qualify for someone to visit twice a week, 1.5 hours a time, to give my DH a bath, and I cope with Bed Bath Wipes the rest of the time.


I too only found out about the Council Tax through MSE, but once I had the form, I then gave it to my GP, who gave his diagnosed date as 8 years previous - this was 15 months ago.


We received a cheque for over £2000, so it's worth pursuing. It's a cruel and punishing disease, isn't it, and one that saps your strength as a carer.


I wish you and your family well.


xx

I would mention that this reduction in CT is certainly not limited to Alzheimer's and Dementia sufferers. Anybody that has a disability can claim it.


https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

Mind you for some, I just can't see how they would need an extra bathroom, kitchen or other room for the disabled person. For a wheelchair user it stands to reason. But I suppose it is how you put your case forward and how good the GP is confirming that the extra space is a must.

Indie_Kid

tinkledom wrote: »

I would mention that this reduction in CT is certainly not limited to Alzheimer's and Dementia sufferers. Anybody that has a disability can claim it.


https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

Mind you for some, I just can't see how they would need an extra bathroom, kitchen or other room for the disabled person. For a wheelchair user it stands to reason. But I suppose it is how you put your case forward and how good the GP is confirming that the extra space is a must.

It's not just about extra space. There's something about a council tax exemption for someone classed as severe mentally impaired.

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/counciltax/discounts/mentallyimpaired

Morglin

tinkledom wrote: »

I would mention that this reduction in CT is certainly not limited to Alzheimer's and Dementia sufferers. Anybody that has a disability can claim it.


https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

Mind you for some, I just can't see how they would need an extra bathroom, kitchen or other room for the disabled person. For a wheelchair user it stands to reason. But I suppose it is how you put your case forward and how good the GP is confirming that the extra space is a must.

They are two different discounts, as the physical disability one drops you a band and the other one is for mental impairment, which just gives a flat discount.


Lin

cattermole

Being eligible for Benefits/Reductions and being aware of them is slightly different to receiving care or what might be available.

However Social Workers when doing an assessment should check all benefits/entitlements and ensure everyone is getting the maximum they are entitled to and make suggestions if they think someone is not receiving the correct entitlements. Health workers tend to have very little involvement in Benefits at all. Charitable groups/workers are an excellent source of information and guidance, they can also offer a lot of support in filling in forms etc.

If someone receives a Care package from the Local Authority, they will be subject (in most cases) to a Fairer Charging Assessment and part of that assessment will mean benefits will be maximised (this is the term they use) they need to check you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to before they can then charge you back!

Sandra I wouldn't personally use the term "qualify" when it comes to care provision it is not the same as a "benefit" it is not clear cut. Your husband has needs, those are assessed by a Social Worker and the Local Authority then agrees to meet those needs. They can be reviewed at any time and should be reviewed within a certain time span. You can ask for extra help at any time, if you feel you need more help meeting his needs. The problem is LA's are so stretched in their Care budgets there just isn't the money to fund Care packages as they should be funded. Any "Carer" or relative can request an assessment of their loved ones needs. They are making it more difficult to access though because everything is in the most authorities now done through basically call centres.

You are however entitled to a Carer's Assessment which is about your needs as a Carer. Have you had or been offered one, because you should have been. This might mean someone coming to sit with him in the evenings or in the day, so you can have some time for yourself?

Indie is correct there has always been an reduction for severe mental impairment. But it really only leads to a reduction if there are only two people in the house as the mentally impaired person is discounted.

The space /need for an extra room moves you down a Band on your tax.

Really glad you both got your reductions back though and yes it does need more publicity I agree completely,

tinkledom

cattermole wrote: »

Being eligible for Benefits/Reductions and being aware of them is slightly different to receiving care or what might be available.

However Social Workers when doing an assessment should check all benefits/entitlements and ensure everyone is getting the maximum they are entitled to and make suggestions if they think someone is not receiving the correct entitlements. Health workers tend to have very little involvement in Benefits at all. Charitable groups/workers are an excellent source of information and guidance, they can also offer a lot of support in filling in forms etc.

If someone receives a Care package from the Local Authority, they will be subject (in most cases) to a Fairer Charging Assessment and part of that assessment will mean benefits will be maximised (this is the term they use) they need to check you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to before they can then charge you back!

Sandra I wouldn't personally use the term "qualify" when it comes to care provision it is not the same as a "benefit" it is not clear cut. Your husband has needs, those are assessed by a Social Worker and the Local Authority then agrees to meet those needs. They can be reviewed at any time and should be reviewed within a certain time span. You can ask for extra help at any time, if you feel you need more help meeting his needs. The problem is LA's are so stretched in their Care budgets there just isn't the money to fund Care packages as they should be funded. Any "Carer" or relative can request an assessment of their loved ones needs. They are making it more difficult to access though because everything is in the most authorities now done through basically call centres.

You are however entitled to a Carer's Assessment which is about your needs as a Carer. Have you had or been offered one, because you should have been. This might mean someone coming to sit with him in the evenings or in the day, so you can have some time for yourself?

Indie is correct there has always been an reduction for severe mental impairment. But it really only leads to a reduction if there are only two people in the house as the mentally impaired person is discounted.

The space /need for an extra room moves you down a Band on your tax.

Really glad you both got your reductions back though and yes it does need more publicity I agree completely,

As you say, what you are entitled to does not mean that you are aware of that entitlement and even then it is just as difficult to get that entitlement put into hard cash or services.


My wife had an assessment carried out by Social Services (Social Worker & OT). I too had a Carers Assessment carried out by the same people.
It resulted in the offer of a bed riser rail, a perching stool, a toilet frame and seat as well as an electric bath lift. When asked about benefits they told us that we should go to the local CAB.
As far anything else, as my wife was not classed as being critical, no further funding is available. Hence why we have had to spend our savings instead.


As for benefits, CAB were useless and I had to spend hours on the internet gathering information and suggestions. Even now we don't actually know if what we are getting is the right amount or if we have missed something, maybe a service or cash.


I have the impression that unless you are in critical (in a life endangering situation) need of help, you have to find your own way in life.
Before my wife came out of hospital the last time, Social Services promised 6 weeks of personal help that was paid for by the council. When the time came and she was ready for discharge, SS told me that due to the cuts, the offer has been reduced to 3 weeks. I politely told them to get lost - 'I will fund the cost myself - I don't do begging!'.

CIS

But it really only leads to a reduction if there are only two people in the house as the mentally impaired person is discounted.

If the only occupier is SMI for council tax purposes then the property is exempt under the Class U council tax exemption.

The space /need for an extra room moves you down a Band on your tax.

Not just space/extra rooms - 'adjustments' to allow a wheelchair to be used indoors also qualify if the wheelchair use is required.

Mojisola

tinkledom wrote: »

Before my wife came out of hospital the last time, Social Services promised 6 weeks of personal help that was paid for by the council. When the time came and she was ready for discharge, SS told me that due to the cuts, the offer has been reduced to 3 weeks. I politely told them to get lost - 'I will fund the cost myself - I don't do begging!'.

Happy to accept 6 weeks of help but not 3 weeks?

What made the first acceptable and the second "begging"?

icklejulez

Firstly I hope you are aware that your mother in law only has Alzheimer's not Alzheimer's and Dementia... Alzheimer's is a type of Dementia.


And, Dementia of any form is not an automatic diagnosis to allow the 25% reduction in council tax, that would need to be done as discussed above based on an assessment.


Finally as mentioned healthcare professionals are under no requirement to provide financial advice (we are not multi skilled, we deal in the healthcare requirements). If I felt that families I looked after needed advice, I may inform them of things such as the council tax requirement however I wouldn't be in a position to know who was entitled to it or not. It is not my business to pry into finances or to understand the complicated world of benefits. That is a career upon itself.

cattermole

tinkledom wrote: »

As you say, what you are entitled to does not mean that you are aware of that entitlement and even then it is just as difficult to get that entitlement put into hard cash or services.


My wife had an assessment carried out by Social Services (Social Worker & OT). I too had a Carers Assessment carried out by the same people.
It resulted in the offer of a bed riser rail, a perching stool, a toilet frame and seat as well as an electric bath lift. When asked about benefits they told us that we should go to the local CAB.
As far anything else, as my wife was not classed as being critical, no further funding is available. Hence why we have had to spend our savings instead.


As for benefits, CAB were useless and I had to spend hours on the internet gathering information and suggestions. Even now we don't actually know if what we are getting is the right amount or if we have missed something, maybe a service or cash.


I have the impression that unless you are in critical (in a life endangering situation) need of help, you have to find your own way in life.
Before my wife came out of hospital the last time, Social Services promised 6 weeks of personal help that was paid for by the council. When the time came and she was ready for discharge, SS told me that due to the cuts, the offer has been reduced to 3 weeks. I politely told them to get lost - 'I will fund the cost myself - I don't do begging!'.

I agree with what you say in that it is becoming harder and harder to access Social Care currently it still covers "substantial" as well and yes I should have referred to the criteria for accessing care in the first place it did cross my mind after the post. Birmingham City Council lost in court over their attempts to withdraw care to the "substantial" group. so that part of your post is incorrect.

The rules on discharge are a bit complicated and now you will hear the term "re-enablement" used a lot, it is the latest buzz word in Social Care. In a nutshell they are being targeted to get everyone re-enabled within 6 weeks, when they can then withdraw the care. :eek:

I didn't want to give the impression that it isn't extremely difficult for people to have the right knowledge and expertise to deal with these things, particularly when they might have never had to deal with it the past. Understanding the system and the best way to go about dealing with it is why forums like this are so important for giving people the correct information.

I just don't like to see the all blame fall on hard pressed workers having been on both sides of the fence. Most Social Workers now don't even have an office, they are working from home, cars and have little or no opportunity to meet as a team any more. This all has a knock on effect to the people who need their services.

Social workers will have to fight and justify every single minute of care they have assessed someone as needing to their managers and to a panel.

The bottom line is if Local Authorities haven't got the cash to pay for the increasing care needed particularly to the growing elderly population what can they do?