SMI confusion

6tw6et

I dont know why I did not see the carers form and also the website does not make it clear what exactly has to be done.

It just seems to me they purposely make it difficult. I mean if the website clearly states exactly what you need to do that more people would do it.

Great, will check that out today,

6tw6et

With this situation as I want to back date this to april 2023, but the website says I dont have to be getting the carers element or allowance, will they agree... I mean I can send proof but I'm just confused how that would work if this website states you don't have to be receiving carers allowance to get the carers discount therefore how can they agree or disagree if I try to backdate it?

Blancmang25

6tw6et said:

I dont know why I did not see the carers form and also the website does not make it clear what exactly has to be done.

It just seems to me they purposely make it difficult. I mean if the website clearly states exactly what you need to do that more people would do it.

Great, will check that out today,

The website below is very useful(I have put the page for council tax) and covers alot of things for Carers and what they may get help with;
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-bills-and-household-costs/help-with-council-tax/

Blancmang25

6tw6et said:

With this situation as I want to back date this to april 2023, but the website says I dont have to be getting the carers element or allowance, will they agree... I mean I can send proof but I'm just confused how that would work if this website states you don't have to be receiving carers allowance to get the carers discount therefore how can they agree or disagree if I try to backdate it?

You do not have to be in receipt of carers allowance or the carers element of UC. The only requirement is that you care for the person(dad) for 35 hours a week or more.
I am presuming dad was either SMI in April 2023 or when he started receiving PIP.
You can ask for the backdate for the SMI and Carer discount from April 2023, the council will give you their decision as different Council's have different procedures.

Blancmang25

Blancmang25 said:

6tw6et said:

With this situation as I want to back date this to april 2023, but the website says I dont have to be getting the carers element or allowance, will they agree... I mean I can send proof but I'm just confused how that would work if this website states you don't have to be receiving carers allowance to get the carers discount therefore how can they agree or disagree if I try to backdate it?

You do not have to be in receipt of carers allowance or the carers element of UC. The only requirement is that you care for the person(dad) for 35 hours a week or more.
I am presuming dad was either SMI in April 2023 or when he started receiving PIP.
You can ask for the backdate for the SMI and Carer discount from April 2023, the council will give you their decision as different Council's have different procedures.

Having trouble with the site today, The requirement is you care for the person 35 hours a week or more and the person you care for has a qualifying benefit, i.e. attendance allowance, care component of PIP either rate, or middle rate care or above DLA.

6tw6et

He has been getting pip way before that but the caring part is from april 2023 which I have been getting the benefit for

just wondering what to send them as how can I prove a backdate of 2 years if they dont look at my caring benefit

But yes, I have filled in the forms and sent them off. That's the best way to do things and if they need anything they can contact me but I'm sure there are loads of other people in this situation that are just not even aware of it.


We're here so much about these things, but when you are looking after someone your brain just doesn't function correctly to go round investigating things you have enough to deal with. That's why these kind of websites are good.

Blancmang25

6tw6et said:

He has been getting pip way before that but the caring part is from april 2023 which I have been getting the benefit for

just wondering what to send them as how can I prove a backdate of 2 years if they dont look at my caring benefit

But yes, I have filled in the forms and sent them off. That's the best way to do things and if they need anything they can contact me but I'm sure there are loads of other people in this situation that are just not even aware of it.


We're here so much about these things, but when you are looking after someone your brain just doesn't function correctly to go round investigating things you have enough to deal with. That's why these kind of websites are good.

You do not have to prove how long you have been caring for, when you complete the carer form you are making a declaration to claim the discount.
If you are saying you have cared for your dad from April 2023 then that is enough.
As long as the doctor has completed the form to say he is SMI from April 2023(or before), there should be no problem.(depending on the Council’s procedure).

6tw6et

Just waiting on the certificate , they said they will do it...

filled in the carers form today too... 

Should I just send them proof of the carers allowance anyway to speed things up , Like Im sure the council know what benefits people get anyway...or do they , i dont even know just want to speed this up


The reason is some councils are just known for taking their sweet time

Blancmang25

6tw6et said:

Just waiting on the certificate , they said they will do it...

filled in the carers form today too... 

Should I just send them proof of the carers allowance anyway to speed things up , Like Im sure the council know what benefits people get anyway...or do they , i dont even know just want to speed this up


The reason is some councils are just known for taking their sweet time

No the Council Tax section will not know what benefits people receive, unless they are in receipt of Council Tax Support.
You will need to provide your dad's PIP letter showing his award.
If you want to provide your carers allowance it's up to you (they do not need it). 
Also until the doctor has completed the SMI form the council cannot do anything. 

6tw6et

Just waiting on the doctors form, cant see it being an issue as dementia / reg blind/ incontinant/stroke, the list goes on.

But this has proven to myself - even though I'm very much on the ball with the rules and regulations... even this one slipped to me by so ,I think it's just something to show everybody that even if you think you are aware of what you're entitled to, sometimes when you've got a very ill person to deal with, you can miss things... this is where the benefit of these types of websites are good because they simplify complicated situations and it seems to me the council and the government just make things overcomplicated for people.