Council Tax reduction in connection to Carer's Allowance

rls1973

Hello

I've just found out that I might be eligible to get a CT reduction; I live with my adult child, 24, who receives top rate PIP/ESA etc for multiple disabilities, and I am a carer for her and receive Carer's Allowance. We already get a band reduction because of her adaptations/requirements but I see that we might also get percentage reduction based on one or more of us being a 'disregarded person' for CT purposes.

I've got the form and there is a bit that I cannot fathom:

(the carer)"must not be a disqualified relative (i.e. spouse, partner, or parent of the other, who is a child below the age of 18 years)."

Now, does this mean if you are living with/caring for your adult/over-18 child you are eligible? Or does it mean that if you're a parent of any age you are not eligible?

Classic bit of local government doublespeak Has anyone done this and could advise? Obviously I've contacted them but they are currently passing me round all the departments to get back to me on the 12th of never, so I thought I would ask here instead

toomuchinfo

As your child is over 18 you can claim carers discount on council tax. I claim this for my son.

poppy12345

I also claim the discount too because i care for my daughter and we are the only 2 adults in the house. If there are other adults in the house then of course you won't be entitled to this.

rls1973

Thank you

The council have got back to me (not as quickly as MSE Forumites though ) , I've copied the reply below in case it's useful to anyone else:

"From the date she turned 18 you would not be a disqualified relative.  It is only if you are trying to claim carer discount for a child under 18 you would be a disqualified relative.

Please be aware more than 1 person can be classed as her carer for council tax purposes, as long as they meet the qualifying criteria.

Please also be aware the number of adults in the property would determine if a discount was awarded.  For example if 2 adults live in the property 1 adult would need to be disregarded to qualify for a discount, if 3 adults are resident 2 adults need to be disregarded etc"

Thanks for responses

Albermarle

You should both be 'disregarded' for CT, so your bill should be reduced by 50%.
The councils reply is better than you get from most. 
We informed a friend of the discount. They were unaware of it, and so was the person they spoke to at the local council.

MouldyOldDough

Its clear on my councils website

"To qualify for a Council Tax exemption, your carer must be living with you and providing full-time care (at least 35 hours per week) in your home, and must not be your spouse or partner. The person/s being cared for must be over 18. You must also be entitled to a disability benefit"

This has always annoyed me - since to receive CA - The carer must limit their income to less than £132 per week - why should a partner not be entitled to reduced CT ?

Spoonie_Turtle

MouldyOldDough said:

Its clear on my councils website

"To qualify for a Council Tax exemption, your carer must be living with you and providing full-time care (at least 35 hours per week) in your home, and must not be your spouse or partner. The person/s being cared for must be over 18. You must also be entitled to a disability benefit"

This has always annoyed me - since to receive CA - The carer must limit their income to less than £132 per week - why should a partner not be entitled to reduced CT ?

They can still apply for council tax support based on a low income.  That's different from the carer exemption. 

A partner would reasonably be likely to live in the same home anyway even if they weren't caring for their partner/spouse, whereas someone without that tie would likely be free to live elsewhere if they weren't caring for the person. 

That's presumably also why a parent can claim it for caring for a child over 18, but not under 18 when they'd still have parental responsibility towards them in the eyes of the law.