SMI - Council Tax

falafelroll_1971_

My mother and I lived together until she passed away 5 years ago. She was diagnosed with Parkinsons a good 8 years before she died. She was claiming an 'Attendance Allowance' but was able to continue working with a little part-time job. As far as I am aware we were paying for the full Council Tax. So, I guess my question is, am I even able to claim for those years where she was alive and we paid the full Council Tax, because surely if she was registered under a Consultant (and with the hospital) as having Parkinson's, could we possibly have applied for the 25% discount? I still live in the property and am paying single person's Council Tax? For info, my name appeared on the Council tax bills we used to receive from our local Council each year. Any help with this would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks

teaselMay

Parkinsons doesn't equate to severe mental impairment, if it was associated with dementia that might evenutally qualify but certainly the years she was working she wouldn't have qualified

falafelroll_1971_

Hi,
Thanks for coming back to me. The snippet below is taken from Martin's site and he specifically mentions Parkinson's?? Maybe I've misunderstood though? My mum was able to continue to work but she was registered with having Parkinson's and under the hospital/consultant. She was also in receipt of 'Attendance Allowance' which again specifically related to her condition. I thought it was worth a check. 

Adults considered to be 'severely mentally impaired' (SMI). This could include those who have Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, profound learning difficulties, multiple sclerosis or who have had a severe stroke.

lincroft1710

I think if your mother was still working, then I doubt she would be termed SMI. I am currently reading a book by Guy Deacon ("Running on Empty" he drove a VW camper from UK to South Africa) who had very severe Parkinsons but in no way did he have SMI

falafelroll_1971_

Oh, OK. I thought it was worth looking into. The site only lists Parkinson's as a severe mental impairment, but not to what extent. There are such differing levels of Parkinson's and hers was quite advanced but was just managed under medications until it took full control. I know Martin Lewis specifically mentioned that if the adult (with SMI) was receiving an Attendance Allowance, then that in itself shows that they had already been assessed and were in need of financial help. My mother worked a few hours a week in order to stand up to her Parkinson's and for it not to beat her. It got her out of the house too. She earned around £400/month. No amount of any significance. I guess it is more about how they rate 'severe', but it affected her way of life and mine too. Thanks for comments. Maybe I should seek the route of CAB. 

teaselMay

" if the adult (with SMI) was receiving an Attendance Allowance, then that in itself shows that they had already been assessed and were in need of financial help" that isn't what receiving Attendance Allowance means.

Having Parkinson's or any disease that affects your way of life doesn't in any way equate to being severely mentally impaired. The reason for being council tax exempt if you are severely mentally impaired is that you're not considered able to understand and express a choice in those governing us, i.e. effectively not able to vote for the council that you're paying council tax to.

It's irrelevant to the question but £400 a month in earnings is more than someone on basic UC receives, it's not an insignificant amount.