Council tax reduction

Marymary57
Marymary57 Posts: 1 Newbie
in Cutting tax
My husband completed a form to claim a Council Tax reduction due to him having Parkinson's disease. He sent the form to his GP practice to be signed and had a phone call from a doctor to say he wasn't able to sign the form because my husband doesn't have dementia with the Parkinson's. Is this correct please? If it is then we have been misled by the wording on the form. Your comments and advice would be appreciated. (He does receive Attendance Allowance)
Many thanks.

Comments

  • General_Grant
    General_Grant Posts: 4,840 Forumite
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    Marymary57 wrote: »
    My husband completed a form to claim a Council Tax reduction due to him having Parkinson's disease. He sent the form to his GP practice to be signed and had a phone call from a doctor to say he wasn't able to sign the form because my husband doesn't have dementia with the Parkinson's. Is this correct please? If it is then we have been misled by the wording on the form. Your comments and advice would be appreciated. (He does receive Attendance Allowance)
    Many thanks.

    For some years now, local authorities have been able to set their own rules, I think.

    Which council is it? Is there a link to their form?
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,098 Forumite
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    edited 17 May 2017 at 11:54AM
    The grounds for a disregard in CT would be severe mental impairment (SMI). So if your husband does not have this, the GP is correct. The physical symptoms alone of Parkinson's alone are not sufficient.
    Being in receipt of AA is not in itself grounds for a disregard either. Sorry.
    Check whether he might qualify under the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme.
    https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    The specific criteria to qualify as SMI for council tax purposes are set in legislation and aren't a delegated power for local authorities to vary.

    The phrase set in legislation is “severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which appears to be permanent” - this has to be coupled with a qualifying benefit.

    If the Dr doesn't believe that the severe impairment exists then he shouldn't sign the form (although some Drs will sign the form regardless). If he has a consultant then they can sign the form, it doesn't have to the a GP.

    Craig
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • General_Grant
    General_Grant Posts: 4,840 Forumite
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    Thanks for the better information about what the local authority can decide on criteria.
    It would still be interesting to know what the form says which led the OP to think that they could be entitled to a reduction.
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    General_Grant wrote: »
    Thanks for the better information about what the local authority can decide on criteria.
    It would still be interesting to know what the form says which led the OP to think that they could be entitled to a reduction.
    Very true - there are some badly worded forms out there.

    Craig
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
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