The Great Hunt: Have you got the 'severely mentally impaired' council tax discount?

newleaf

madmaid wrote: »

Hi
My Daughter has Aspergers and is on the Spectrum will she be intitled to this discount:A

My understanding of the SMI council tax discount is:
If the applicant, by reason of severe and permanent mental impairment, is unable to understand and engage in the process of voting in an election, they are entitled to the discount.
Severe mental impairment can apply equally to people with a Learning Disability or Mental Illness (such as dementia), the criteria relates specifically to the ability to engage in the electoral process.
Pre-retirement, I worked in mental health services and successfully helped people to apply for it.

Lally

When my son was diagnosed with Autism 5 years ago, I called the CT department and asked if we were eligible for a discount due ti his disability and they said no.

I will try again via this route - thank you!

akwest

How do I go about applying for this ?

Pampy

I have a very old relation who lived alone for a number of years whilst suffering from Alzheimer's. We applied for council tax exemption on her behalf and it was granted - but the next year, the council sent a renewal form directly to her - but because of her impairment, she did nothing about it. We'd told the council that we, her only relatives, lived over 200 miles away and whilst we visited her as much as possible, there were times when we couldn't visit for several weeks. We asked the council to at least tell us if they needed any information etc but our request appears to have been filed in the "too hard to do" tray.

Mr_Mann

I find it strange how they select which people should be entitled to benefit help. It's as if one health problem has been chosen above all others and those with it get help whilst everyone else no matter what health problems they have got don't. For example you can be too ill to work for 20 years or more, live alone and receive only ESA (support group <£6,000/PA) and still have to pay council tax in full, just the 25% discount for living alone. (Which should be a 50% discount in my view anyway).
So why do they consider some health issues/illnesses more worthy of financial help than others, especially as some of those who receive help may well be receiving additional benefits such as PIP or something else or in some cases able to do assisted work ?
I'm not suggesting those with mental health issues should not be entitled, I'd just like it to be fairer and more people get help.
I think it should be income related, those with the lowest income get help and those with a higher one pay. Surely that is the definition of fairness ?

newleaf

akwest wrote: »

How do I go about applying for this ?

Contact your local council tax department. There is a form to fill in, and it requires a medical person to certify that the claimant has a severe mental impairment.

newleaf

Mr_Mann wrote: »

I find it strange how they select which people should be entitled to benefit help.

This is not a benefit though, it's a local council tax discount, granted in recognition of the fact that a person who has a severe mental impairment (i.e.; severe learning disability or advanced dementia) is unable to participate in the election of representatives to their council.

Edward_Harding

The Alzheimer's Society gave me the info and I applied. They asked for evidence so I sent them copies of letters to and from the doctors. We received it forthwith plus some back dated months. The question then arose "How long can a visitor stay if one is claiming single resident tax discount?" As my grandson was staying to help with my wife's care. I eventually got a reply that it was ok but there are no fixed rules on time allowed. It seems that so long as it is not the visitors address it is ok.

CIS

madmaid wrote: »

Hi
My Daughter has Aspergers and is on the Spectrum will she be intitled to this discount:A

It depends on if the qualifying conditions are met and her age.

Craig

CIS

Edward_Harding wrote: »

The Alzheimer's Society gave me the info and I applied. They asked for evidence so I sent them copies of letters to and from the doctors. We received it forthwith plus some back dated months. The question then arose "How long can a visitor stay if one is claiming single resident tax discount?" As my grandson was staying to help with my wife's care. I eventually got a reply that it was ok but there are no fixed rules on time allowed. It seems that so long as it is not the visitors address it is ok.

It all comes down to 'sole or main residence' - if the property becomes a person's 'sole or main residence' (even if they are very rarely physically resident) then they are resident for council tax purposes and potentially affect any discounts.

Craig