Council Tax reduction

deborah1965

Hi i do not know if anyone can help but here goes. I am a registered disabled mum who has M.S. and have had several strokes. I have two sons one is 19 and autistic and a 21 year old son who has severe autism both boys are registered disabled and i look after all of us myself. The council tax is so high i am having problems paying it the only rebate i get is for myself why is this so as the boys are severely disabled we are all on benefits unfortunately. I am so worn down please help.

pmlindyloo

deborah1965 wrote: »

Hi i do not know if anyone can help but here goes. I am a registered disabled mum who has M.S. and have had several strokes. I have two sons one is 19 and autistic and a 21 year old son who has severe autism both boys are registered disabled and i look after all of us myself. The council tax is so high i am having problems paying it the only rebate i get is for myself why is this so as the boys are severely disabled we are all on benefits unfortunately. I am so worn down please help.

Can you please tell us which benefits you are all on and whether they are income based or contribution based?

When you say you only get a rebate for yourself which rebate are you talking about?

CIS

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Can you please tell us which benefits you are all on and whether they are income based or contribution based?

When you say you only get a rebate for yourself which rebate are you talking about?

I assume the 25% carer's disregard but the poster can clarify.

Craig

CIS

I should also add that you can apply for a Section 13A Council Tax discretionary reduction from your local authority - they, at the least, must consider your request.

Craig

SandraScarlett

As long as you have written proof of the date of diagnosis, the CT reduction is backdated. I had a copy letter from the consultant who diagnosed my late husband with Alzheimer's, which I submitted, and ours was backdated for several years - I received well over £2,000.


I never knew about this, until I read about it on this site, for which I am very grateful.


xx

deborah1965

hi i am on DLA high care High mob ESA Not the income related one and industrial injuries and working tax credits as i sell avon to friends and family but only earn about £5.00 a week my 21yrs old son is on dla high care and high mob as well as my 19yr old son but there dla all goes in the pot to pay the mortgage elec gas insurance etc the boys get also esa which pays for nappies pads and some day care and there cloths shoes etc the council tax suppoert i get is called local council tax support which is i think 25% rebate.

CIS

the council tax suppoert i get is called local council tax support which is i think 25% rebate.

So it's Council Tax Support rather than a Council Tax discount/disregard - the Council Tax Support isn't set at a specified % (except in certain cases) as it's means tested so if it's equivalent to 25% of the charge then it's co-incidental that it's the same as would happen if you were getting a council tax disregard.

Assuming there's just you and your two sons resident;

Both of your children should qualify to be disregarded as Severely Mentally Impaired for Council Tax purposes if you can get a Dr to certify them as such (they're on a qualifying benefit).

If they can be disregarded then it leaves you as the sole adult with a 25% discount. You should also be entitled to claim a carer's disregard for yourself - this would give an overall 50% discount when coupled with the SMI disregards.

If you can't get the SMI disregards then you can still apply for a carer's disregard by itself which gives a 25% discount.

Craig

pmlindyloo

deborah1965 wrote: »

hi i am on DLA high care High mob ESA Not the income related one and industrial injuries and working tax credits as i sell avon to friends and family but only earn about £5.00 a week my 21yrs old son is on dla high care and high mob as well as my 19yr old son but there dla all goes in the pot to pay the mortgage elec gas insurance etc the boys get also esa which pays for nappies pads and some day care and there cloths shoes etc the council tax suppoert i get is called local council tax support which is i think 25% rebate.

I think you would benefit from going to CAB to check that you are receiving the correct benefits. You need to take with you- yours and your sons' award letters, your bank statements, your tax credits award letter and your council tax bill (statement)

They will also help with your budgeting and finances. There seems to be a fair amount of money coming into the household but I also see that you have a mortgage. It could be that you need help accessing other services to help with your and your sons' welfare. CAB would be able to do a benefit check and help with all other matters.

1234mas430

I received a letter from DWP stating I have the Enhanced Pip mobility & I can apply for free car tax, blue badge etc. I pay all my Council tax & rent, I looked at the Benefit calculator & it says I can have help with both. I coctacted the local council & the young lady said it sounds as though I can apply but it will be only back dated for 1 month...My Pip has been backdated from 9th September this year & a large amount of money has been put into my bank account today,? Is she correct ?

CIS

1234mas430 wrote: »

I received a letter from DWP stating I have the Enhanced Pip mobility & I can apply for free car tax, blue badge etc. I pay all my Council tax & rent, I looked at the Benefit calculator & it says I can have help with both. I coctacted the local council & the young lady said it sounds as though I can apply but it will be only back dated for 1 month...My Pip has been backdated from 9th September this year & a large amount of money has been put into my bank account today,? Is she correct ?

That's with regards to Council Tax Support (what used to be Council Tax Benefit) - it has it's own rules regarding backdating etc.

Craig