SMI reduction

redmagician

Hello,

I have  applied for SMI reduction with my local council, for my son who has severe autism.

we usually pay our council tax by monthly instalments from April to January.

I applied in November after seeing the Martin Lewis money show, and I was not aware of this until seeing the show.  I have still not had a decision letter yet.

My question is this, i know backdating is up to the local council, but as I applied in November, would the reduction count for the whole of the financial year from April when the tax was due, or just from the date I applied ?

elmer

The date is determined by the date the dr adds to the medical form, and the date of entitlement to the qualifying benefit, so whichever is the later date will be used, how old is your son and how many people in your household?

redmagician

My son is 31 and wife and myself are his carers. just the three of us live in our household. he has received DLA from 2003 up to 2017, when he was transferred to PIP

elmer

In that case I would be pushing the council to backdate 6 years, if they don't ask for their reasons and involve your councillor

You can also ask to be disregarded as his carer, if you care for him more than 35 hours per week. which would result in a 50% reduction in your council tax, this can also be backdated, you may need to apply for it, so check your councils website

elmer