SMI for under 18

gravelpaddle

Hello all.

My son has a severe mental impairment but is only 8, would we be eligible for any council tax reduction given his age? It is unclear on my LA's website and they closed my query without explanation so I am currently none the wiser to if it is worth pursuing.

Thanks.

Robbie64

SMI can only be awarded in respect of someone who would otherwise be liable to pay council tax, i.e. is 18 or over. The council tax payer has to be the person who has SMI.

The other type of council tax reduction that may otherwise apply, a carers disregard, also can't be applied if the person claiming is the parent of a child under 18 or the partner of the parent and it is the child who is being cared for.

There is also a reduction through a Disabled Band Reduction Scheme. There is no age restrictions for this but the property must be in some way adapted for the needs of the disabled person (a specially adapted room, extra indoor space for a wheelchair, an extra bathroom etc). The reduction works by moving the property down one council tax band, or if on Band A, a 17% reduction.

gravelpaddle

Thanks for your reply, I had suspected that was the case. It is a little disappointing that there is no reduction for parent carers, with 2 disabled children I haven't been able to work for 14 years. Given that other companies/organisations recognise our situation but local authorities don't is disappointing.

Altior

Discussion of policy is strongly discouraged on this board.

Spoonie_Turtle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82016046#Comment_82016046

Not being able to work is in theory covered by Council Tax Support based on income.

The carer discount is because an extra adult is living there that wouldn't have to be if they weren't caring for the disabled person, but a parent being responsible for their children is the same - in terms of whether the adult is liable for CT - whether the child is disabled or not.