Wales to help 'severely mentally impaired' get council tax discount after MSE campaign - MSE News

Former_MSE_Megan_F
Former_MSE_Megan_F Posts: 418 Forumite
Newshound!
in Campaigns corner
The Welsh Government has become the first in Great Britain to launch a website and leaflet to help 'severely mentally impaired' residents access a council tax discount worth almost £400/year on average - but MSE founder Martin Lewis says others must follow suit...
Read the full story:
'Wales to help 'severely mentally impaired' get council tax discount after MSE campaign'
OfficialStamp.gif
Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
Read the latest MSE News
Flag up a news story: news@moneysavingexpert.com
Get the Free Martin's Money Tips E-mail

Comments

  • poppy10_2
    poppy10_2 Posts: 6,575 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    It's a bit of a regressive tax break, this one. Pensioners in general are already sitting on vast unearned housing wealth. With the council tax discount, the wealthiest with bigger houses will get a bigger refund than the poorer in small houses. All this comes from council budgets which are already stretched and means that people who are already well-off get money back while people in need are struggling to access services
    poppy10
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    The SMI disregard (and exemption) are something I see a lot of clients about - if it's in legislation then they're entitled however I still think that there's a lot of un-needed vitriol aimed at local authorities for 'not advertising' the disregard.

    The local authorities advise the disregard as much as they are required to (and some a lot more) but at how far are they expected to go ? It's good the Welsh government had added extra guidance regarding it but what about all the other disregards - you can't, as a public body, publicise one aspect any more than the others and remain fair to all.
    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.
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 608K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173K Life & Family
  • 247.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards