Severe mental impairment

Carlie75

Hi Everyone.

I am hoping you can offer some advice. I have recently read the website regarding council tax benefit due Severe Mental Impairment discount. I have spoken with my father in laws doctors who are refusing to sign the form for our local authority.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson Dementia 2.5 years ago and sees a consultant every 6 months - he has been receiving attendance allowance since November 2017 and has visited a memory clinic twice and failed.

I have an appointment with his GP as after speaking to the council tax department for the local authority I have been informed that he is entitled to this benefit. Problem is the GP is refusing to sign the SMI form as they are saying that he is not Severe enough! I am not sure what they mean by 'He is not server enough"! Seeing as he has disability equipment in the house to help him and had his license taken away by the DVLA along with other symptoms that form Parkinsons Dementia I am unsure to the actual term.

I would love to know how many other older generation have been refused - by the GP and not the Local Authority!

Any advice from anyone else who has been in this situation would be brilliant

Thanks

CIS

Carlie75 wrote: »

Hi Everyone.

I am hoping you can offer some advice. I have recently read the website regarding council tax benefit due Severe Mental Impairment discount. I have spoken with my father in laws doctors who are refusing to sign the form for our local authority.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson Dementia 2.5 years ago and sees a consultant every 6 months - he has been receiving attendance allowance since November 2017 and has visited a memory clinic twice and failed.

I have an appointment with his GP as after speaking to the council tax department for the local authority I have been informed that he is entitled to this benefit. Problem is the GP is refusing to sign the SMI form as they are saying that he is not Severe enough! I am not sure what they mean by 'He is not server enough"! Seeing as he has disability equipment in the house to help him and had his license taken away by the DVLA along with other symptoms that form Parkinsons Dementia I am unsure to the actual term.

I would love to know how many other older generation have been refused - by the GP and not the Local Authority!

Any advice from anyone else who has been in this situation would be brilliant

Thanks

The relevant definition that has to be used is "a person is severely mentally impaired if he has a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which appears to be permanent.".

This decision has to be made by a Dr, legislation requires that it is a medical decision and unfortunately it is always going to be a subjective one, some Drs are far more ready to certify someone than others. It can be any Dr who signs, not just the GP.

marliepanda

Carlie75 wrote: »

Hi Everyone.

I am hoping you can offer some advice. I have recently read the website regarding council tax benefit due Severe Mental Impairment discount. I have spoken with my father in laws doctors who are refusing to sign the form for our local authority.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson Dementia 2.5 years ago and sees a consultant every 6 months - he has been receiving attendance allowance since November 2017 and has visited a memory clinic twice and failed.

I have an appointment with his GP as after speaking to the council tax department for the local authority I have been informed that he is entitled to this benefit. Problem is the GP is refusing to sign the SMI form as they are saying that he is not Severe enough! I am not sure what they mean by 'He is not server enough"! Seeing as he has disability equipment in the house to help him and had his license taken away by the DVLA along with other symptoms that form Parkinsons Dementia I am unsure to the actual term.

I would love to know how many other older generation have been refused - by the GP and not the Local Authority!

Any advice from anyone else who has been in this situation would be brilliant

Thanks

His disability aids will not play into the criteria, and the license being removed can be indicative of many things.

It has to be an impairment of his mental capacity and intelligence, nothing else.