Do I have to put an unpaid live-in carer on council tax?

Bunny1995

A little back story:I suffer from a chronic illness that causes me to faint and requires me to use mobility aids from time to time.
My best friend comes over everyday to check on me and do some carer type duties.

As my fainting episodes have gotten worse and my need for help has become more so, I have offered for them to stay rent free in my household and they would be essentially my unpaid live-in caregiver.

A Google search states that if the person who is liable for paying council tax is in receipt of a Disability benefit and the live in unpaid carer can provide care for at least 35 hours a week,is not a spouse/partner or parent they are considered a carer and they are immediately disregarded to be put on council tax as carers are not liable to pay council tax.

My best friend has been coming daily to my house everyday for over 3 years to be well? Just a good friend and a good person which I'm very grateful to have and as my illness is getting progressively worse I thought it would make sense for them to move in as my unpaid live in carer.

Do I need to call my council up and ask them or do I just continue being on single persons 25% discount? As carers are not liable anyways? I am a little bit confused as council tax is for the property and not the people who live there and this person is not a lodger,not a tenant,not a joint owner and not a spouse/partner neither are we cohabiting they will be my unpaid live in carer.

Thank you in advance for your replies!

Brie

sounds like your friend should be in receipt of carer's allowance possibly for the past 3 years but def once they move in.  Whether that would mean you lose the 25% discount I can't comment on.  Might be best to ask the council but ensure you're talking to someone who has dealt with similar situations in the past rather than taking the word of the first newbie that answers the phone.

Bunny1995

@Brie Thanks so much for your reply :-)
I think we looked into it about the carers allowance but as they work a remote full time job we did not think they would have any financial entitlement to it. How would they even register themselves as my caregiver as if they aren't entitled to carers allowance as they earn over the threshold I'm wondering how we prove this to others and the council?
It's not a matter of loosing the 25% as its not a great discount anyways,just trying to figure it out I should call my local council and ask them but you are absolutely right! That when it comes to talking to someone who knows in their office is another story haha! Thanks again and have a lovely day!

poppy12345

You still need to report the changes. When you do that you need to ask about the carers disregard.

Do you claim any other benefits? possibly ESA? If so are you claiming the Severe disability premium (£67.30 per week)  in with your ESA? If you are then you will also lose this unless your friend is also claiming a disability benefit such as PIP daily living or DLA mid/high rate care or they're registered blind. If they're not then you need to report the changes to DWP.

I live with my daughter who's 20 and i also have the carers disregard for my council tax. I claim carers allowance for looking after her. I didn't need to send proof of anything.

Bunny1995

@poppy12345 Thanks so much for your informative reply! Much appreciated!
I am only claiming PIP(which I think on Google said that any PIP is OK for carers council tax disregard) My illness got worse after my parents died and was left without a clue about what I was and wasn't entitled to, so I'm not on ESA. My friend is not claiming any benefits they have been working remotely full time and they live 20mins away from me.
So I need to report to DWP that my friend is my carer? And then report to council tax office about live in carers disregard?
Is that how I word it "carers disregard on council tax"? Sorry for all the questions! It's always difficult to know where and who to ask and Google can make it very confusing at times!
Thanks so much again you have been very kind! 

poppy12345

You don't need to report anything to DWP if all you claim is PIP because having someone live with you will not affect this.

If all you claim is PIP then i assume you're working?

For the carers disregard you must be claiming the daily living part of PIP and yes when you ring your local Authority you tell them that your carer has moved in with you and you would like to claim the carers disregard. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-household-finances/council-tax-rate-relief

Bunny1995

@poppy12345 thank you so very much for this! I did think that was the case but needed to double triple check! Thanks so much again!stay amazing! 

tboo

As others have said you have to inform the council that your friend has moved in.

What will happen to their property?

The unpaid carer or relative

A person will be disregarded if they are:providing care to a person who is in receipt of

• i. an attendance allowance under section 65 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992(2)*
  ii. the highest or middle rate of the care component of a disability living allowance under section 72(4)(a) of that Act*
  iii. an increase in a constant attendance allowance under the proviso to article 14 of the Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme 1983(3), or under article 14(1)(b) of the Naval, Military and Air Forces etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 1983(4)
  iv. an increase in the rate of his disablement pension under section 104 of that Act
  v. the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of personal independence payment under section 78(3) of the Welfare Reform Act 2012

• resident in the same dwelling as the person to whom they are providing care
• providing care for at least 35 hours a week on average
• or if the person for whom they are providing care is over 18 years old and is not the spouse or partner of the carer, or they are providing care to a child under the age of 18 years and they are not the parent of this child

Bunny1995

@tboo what will happen to their property? They don't own their own property they rent.
As for the council, I have informed them upon others advice and what you have stated.
Many Thanks!

Savvy_Sue

Bunny1995 said:

@tboo what will happen to their property? They don't own their own property they rent.
As for the council, I have informed them upon others advice and what you have stated.
Many Thanks!

Do they have a secure tenancy, eg with the council or a social landlord? 

I'd think very carefully before giving up one of those: if it doesn't work out living with you, then they won't automatically get anything similar back. 

Less of an issue if they are private renting, but it remains a big step. 

sevenhills

Bunny1995 said:

A little back story:I suffer from a chronic illness that causes me to faint and requires me to use mobility aids from time to time.
My best friend comes over everyday to check on me and do some carer type duties.

If he comes over to stay at your house, that means he lives elsewhere. If his clothes etc are at another house, he does not live at your house.

I would assume he is on someone elses council tax form.