Council tax exemption

Blue1880

I applied for carers reduction from sefton council. My mum who is 85 and receives attendance allowance moved into our home in sept 2025 . I am a full time carer for her and my wife works full time . I have added a response from the council . After watching your show I applied online . Sent proof of carers allowance and also attendance allowance. They have stated I am not eligible for a reduction.

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lincroft1710

Firstly you should remove from that letter all words which identify you, property and family members.

This is not the area of CT I am most familiar with but I believe the council may be correct in refusing a discount in your case.

marcia_

As you and your wife are resident and not disregarded you wont get a reduction

fatbelly

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656706/council-tax-exemption

Without seeing the letter or you explaining the contents it is not clear why you are not exempt. It my just be a confusion that you asked for Council Tax Reduction, and other posters here also have assumed that.

What you should have applied for was council tax carers exemption If your wife is then classed as the only qualifying adult because you are a carer and your mum is exempt for some other reason such as SMI, you get a 25% discount. This is explained here

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-tax/get-money-off-your-council-tax/money-off-council-tax-for-carers-and-care-workers/

lincroft1710

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81898057#Comment_81898057

As there were 3 residents in the property, the OP's council refused the exemption. The OP has not said that his mother has SMI

Blue1880

Thank you for your help

Blue1880

Just a quick one what is SMI

Blancmang25

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899092#Comment_81899092

Serveley Mentally Impaired.

If the person claiming attendance allowance is declared by a GP as being SMI, then that person is disregarded for council tax purposes.

As your wife looks after that person she would be disregarded, as she cares for that person for 35 hours a week or more.

Then you would get a 25% discount on your council tax bill.

If you also provide care for 35 hours or more a week, you can also be disregarded, therefore a 50% reduction would apply.

Please note you do not need to be in receipt of carers allowance, the requirement is that a person provides care for 35 hours a week or more.

Below is a link which may help you understand what carers can get and any other help.

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-bills-and-household-costs/help-with-council-tax/

Blue1880

Thank you for your help that explains it a lot more

fatbelly

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899092#Comment_81899092

Severely mentally impaired. It does not mean that they have lost all mental function but enough to affect social functioning. In practice if she is on a prescribed benefit and her GP will sign the form, downloadable from the council's website, she'll get it

If you read your letter carefully it may be that you HAVE been granted exemption but, as there are two qualifying adults in the property as things stand - your wife and mother - 100% council tax is still payable