Council tax discounts for carers

fuzzzzy

When you do get the forms sorted out and see the GP, try and get them to state the earliest date possible that the SMI applied. Some, but not all, councils will backdate the council tax discount.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81999227#Comment_81999227

Also some of those that backdate will only do it for a max period.

Cornishmaid6373

I have now heard back from Cornwall council. I have had an apology for the way I was treated and have also been told that all the information I was given by the call handler was incorrect and she would be given appropriate training so this would not happen again. It does make me wonder how many people just accept that what she said was correct! I hope they address her attitude too!!! They have sent me both forms.
Also what needs addressing are the doctors surgeries!!!! When I called them about the form & whether they wanted me to make an appointment to discuss things they said no but told me it would take one month and cost £50. I told them that it was exempt from charges, they said every form cost £50 and I would have to pay it when I came in. I told them to check the BMA site. I took form in on Monday and they again asked for £50, I again reiterated what I had said before, they argued! I told them to check and they disappeared to speak to manager and asked me to wait. Came back 5 mins later and just took the form and said they would be in touch when it’s done! No apology! I suggested they familiarised themselves with the forms which are exempt from fees as there are quite a few! I wonder, again, how many people have just paid and not known! I would have just paid if I had not seen it on MSE!
now I’m just waiting to have form returned to send them both to council. It does say on their site they do ‘back date’ if you apply! So let’s see what happens!!!
nothing is easy and i suspect so many people miss out on what they are entitled to. It’s not a lot of money but every little helps when you have to give up work, in my case, (& or all your spare time) to take care of your parent.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82021242#Comment_82021242

Good to hear you made some progress.

 It’s not a lot of money but every little helps 

Obviously I do not know your normal council tax bill, but if you and your husband can get exempted, I would assume it will be at least a saving of a £1000 a year, probably more.