Carer's Discount, Council Tax

Briskly

Sorry If I've posted on the wrong board here. I have just read something about Carer's Discount for Council tax - possibly 25%. I wonder if it would apply in my case?  I live alone so already get the 25% discount. But I have to spend 95% of my time caring for my old Mum 100 miles away in Essex and staying overnight, with only a few days in my own house every month. Mum is receiving the full attendance allowance. I can't get any info about this from the Council tax helpline. Grateful for any help!

fatbelly

You shouldn't be counted at your mother's property. It is most likely that she also gets the single adult 25% discount

You won't get any additional discount at your own property as you are not giving care there.

If your mother can be classes as Severely Mentally Impaired they may be further savings

Briskly

Thanks for your help - much appreciated!

Briskly

I've just seen that there are class i and class j exemptions for council tax where the property has to be left empty to ptovide care. Any ideas about this?. 

fatbelly

Potentially they could apply where your mum moved to live with you or you moved to live with her.

lincroft1710

Briskly said:

I've just seen that there are class i and class j exemptions for council tax where the property has to be left empty to ptovide care. Any ideas about this?. 

This is where the occupier of a dwelling has moved out to care full time for someone at another address 

Briskly

lincroft1710 said:

Briskly said:

I've just seen that there are class i and class j exemptions for council tax where the property has to be left empty to ptovide care. Any ideas about this?. 

This is where the occupier of a dwelling has moved out to care full time for someone at another address 

Thanks. This exactly applies to me. I've called Leics Council and they are unaware of this exemption and pretty unhelpful.. I've been living like this for over 5 years and just had misinformation from them - their website is also misleading on this. I wonder if I ever get anyone there to respond if I can backdate? The info for existing discounts say this can only go back 3 months.

Is there any way to put pressure on the Council to respond? 

fatbelly

From your initial post you haven' t totally vacated your own property. Maybe now is the time to declare that you have

lincroft1710

The Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992

UK Statutory Instruments 1992 No. 558

Class J

an unoccupied dwelling which was previously the sole or main residence of a qualifying person who–

(a)has his sole or main residence in another place for the purpose of providing, or better providing, personal care for a person who requires such care by reason of old age, disablement, illness, past or present alcohol or drug dependence or past or present mental disorder; and

(b)has been a relevant absentee for the whole of the period since the dwelling last ceased to be his residence;

The above is the relevant legislation. As @fatbelly has posted, your original post suggests you haven't totally vacated your own home and thus may not meet the criteria for exemption. You should ask the council to give you specific reasons why they believe you are not eligible and you may want to try and get your local councillor on board. But from experience councillors generally are far from knowledgeable on CT legislation.

If you disagree with the council's decision, you may have the right to appeal and have the matter heard by the independent Valuation Tribunal.

See here for details  https://valuationtribunal.gov.uk/council-tax-appeals/council-tax-liability-appeal/

If you did appeal, do be aware that it can take 7/8 months for your appeal to be heard.

Briskly

Thanks for your help guys, very much appreciated!

Briskly

I've been wondering whether if I claim class J exemption from the council where I live if I will then be clobbered on a back dated basis by the council where my Mum lives to pay council tax there - she gets the 25% discount. It seems cares are exempt but it all seems very vague....

Also, as a bit of a longshot, would it help were my Mum have to go into long term care that I am on record as having been resident at her property as a carer? It seems there is a disregard for family members over 60 living in a property with regard to selling to pay care fees. 

Any help appreciated, this is all so difficult to find out!