Parkinson's sufferer declined for Council Tax

watsons1

My mother suffers with Parkinson's and due to loss of mobility has to live downstairs but has been declined by the Council for Council Tax reduction. Has anyone else had this experience and what did they do please?

kingfisherblue

watsons1 wrote: »

My mother suffers with Parkinson's and due to loss of mobility has to live downstairs but has been declined by the Council for Council Tax reduction. Has anyone else had this experience and what did they do please?

On what grounds was she claiming council tax reduction? Does she use a wheelchair indoors?

cattie

My neighbour who has Parkinson's & early onset of dementia has also been turned down, despite all the advice given in Martin's drive to let people with these conditions know that they should qualify for a council tax reduction/disregard.

CIS

cattie wrote: »

My neighbour who has Parkinson's & early onset of dementia has also been turned down, despite all the advice given in Martin's drive to let people with these conditions know that they should qualify for a council tax reduction/disregard.

It depends on what basis - qualifying benefit, Dr stating not SMI etc ?

Part of the problem, and I have raised this on many occasions, is that the articles constantly refer to Parkinson's. Alzheimers etc but neglect to say that legislation specifies no specific illness, it doesn't matter what the cause is as long as the person meets the SMI critera.

CIS

watsons1 wrote: »

My mother suffers with Parkinson's and due to loss of mobility has to live downstairs but has been declined by the Council for Council Tax reduction. Has anyone else had this experience and what did they do please?

The answer depends on which particular 'reduction' you mean.

Nannytone

I don't understand how having Parkinson's would qualify anyone for council tax exemption through SMI. it is a neurological condition but it doesn't affect mental capacity. My grandfather had Parkinson's in the time where there was no effective treatments available and he lived in it for 20 years until he died in 1984. he may not have been able to shave or do up a button but he was certainly intact mentally/B]

sheramber

cattie wrote: »

My neighbour who has Parkinson's & early onset of dementia has also been turned down, despite all the advice given in Martin's drive to let people with these conditions know that they should qualify for a council tax reduction/disregard.

But the article does not say all people with Parkinsons will be eligible for the reduction. What ir does say is

They've been medically certified as being severely mentally impaired. For example, this may be the case if they have dementia, Parkinson's, severe learning difficulties or have had a stroke. It will depend on each individual’s case though and simply having been diagnosed doesn’t automatically mean they qualify - a doctor must also certify they are severely mentally impaired.

CIS

Nannytone wrote: »

I don't understand how having Parkinson's would qualify anyone for council tax exemption through SMI. it is a neurological condition but it doesn't affect mental capacity. My grandfather had Parkinson's in the time where there was no effective treatments available and he lived in it for 20 years until he died in 1984. he may not have been able to shave or do up a button but he was certainly intact mentally/B]

Parkinson's can cause a form of dementia in some people.

Danday

Taken from my council website

How is Severely Mentally Impaired defined?

For the purposes of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 a person is Severely Mentally Impaired if he/she has a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which appears to be permanent.

What does this mean in practical terms?

A person will be disregarded on the grounds of being Severely Mentally Impaired if he or she is entitled to one of the following benefits;
Incapacity Benefit or Employment Support Allowance
Severe Disablement Allowance or Invalidity Pension
Unemployability Supplement or Unemployability Allowance
Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance
Higher or Middle Rate of the care component of a Disability Living Allowance
Disability Working Allowance
An increase in the rate of Disablement Pension
Income Support where the applicable amount includes a Disability Premium.
and
He/she is confirmed as being Severely Mentally Impaired by a registered medical practitioner.

Danday

sheramber wrote: »

But the article does not say all people with Parkinsons will be eligible for the reduction. What ir does say is

They've been medically certified as being severely mentally impaired. For example, this may be the case if they have dementia, Parkinson's, severe learning difficulties or have had a stroke. It will depend on each individual!!!8217;s case though and simply having been diagnosed doesn!!!8217;t automatically mean they qualify - a doctor must also certify they are severely mentally impaired.

Thanks, I have posted above the definition and as you say not everybody with the same condition will qualify - it is a case by case award based on the facts and the requirements being met

However along the way I have read of people on various websites get this reduction who clearly in my opinion should not have. It tends to be those suffering from Social Anxiety & Depression but the key is having a GP prepared to agree.
You could have two people both with say PTSD, where one will get it and the other won't because one will get the backing of a helpful GP.
Much the same as it was when looking to get a Blue Badge - a sympathetic gP was the key then. All changed now thank goodness, they cottoned on that GP's could be biased in favour of their patient.