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

malid

Thanks to a previous newsletter earlier this year, I contacted the relevant local authority and eventually managed to get a refund for the widow of a deceased relative (who died in 2008) who had Parkinsons.

It was not plain sailing and as the POA I had to fill in forms, chase the Doctors surgery for the relevant information then chase them up to complete and return the forms to the Local Authority but a 4 figure refund was worth the effort.

Unfortunately like a lot of things that people are entitled to, the responsible bodies/authorities do not inform them , they let them 'find out themselves' then quite often make it difficult. This was not difficult, just a bit of a faff.

Penelope_Penguin

Back in 2013, I'd been a CAB adviser for a decade, and didn't know about this discount. My sister had been told about it by a friend.

My mother had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011, and received Attendance Allowance. I completed a form from the council, which needed to be signed by her doctor, confirming SMI.

The council accepted the form with no fuss, and refunded her CT right back to the date of diagnosis - over a year's worth :T

Sunny7

Hi. Thanks for posting this is very helpful information. Can I clarify please - is you daughter an adult claiming the discount themselves or a child living with you, so you get the discount. Thanks for your help.

retiredandskint

I get it for my husband who has dementia. I applied once AA was granted but the council didn't backdate to AA date, although that was the date I put on the form, just the month i applied.

Pat_Griffiths

I receive this. It is also known as Certificate U. If you have had any contact with mental health services, crisis support team, MIND on referral you get it.
I found out about it, however, from above mental health charities- no one will tell you about any chance of getting money

Pat_Griffiths

It was back dated.It is worth noting that many Councils are still scared and uncertain about mental health. Go on the offensive, I. E Assume entitlement, and they may simply give in.

CIS

retiredandskint wrote: »

I get it for my husband who has dementia. I applied once AA was granted but the council didn't backdate to AA date, although that was the date I put on the form, just the month i applied.

It would also depend on what date the Dr gave as the date the impairment began - if this is later than the AA date then the they could only go back to the date the Dr gave. (i.e they can only use the later of the date of impairment or benefit entitlement.)

If it was simply that the Local Authority refused to backdate a disregard where it would otherwise have applied then it's worth appealing. A lot of Local Authorities try and use a date that's convenient for them but there's no legislative basis for that.

UKTigerlily

severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning

Does this mean BOTH, as I have no intelligence problems but huge social functioning ones & 2 very severe mental illnesses, one of which is definitely for life

topsales

Got this for my Mum who had Alzheimers though never formally diagnosed. The GP had to sign the form and was happy to do so - though tried to charge me until I pointed out that he couldn't!

malid

retiredandskint wrote: »

I get it for my husband who has dementia. I applied once AA was granted but the council didn't backdate to AA date, although that was the date I put on the form, just the month i applied.

It should be applied from the date of the diagnosis which your GP should have put on the form. Go back and query it.