Council Tax Discount for ‘Severe Mental Impairment’

By law, someone who has been medically certified as having a permanent condition that affects their intelligence and social functioning is ‘disregarded for council tax purposes’ in England, Scotland and Wales.

It means you can claim:

• A 25% discount – if you live with someone with a severe mental impairment and no other adults, or only adults who have also been disregarded for council tax purposes.
• A 100% discount – if you have a severe mental impairment and live alone.

Both of the following must apply for someone to qualify for a severe mental impairment (SMI) council tax discount:

• They’ve been medically certified as being severely mentally impaired. For example, this may be the case if they have dementia, Parkinson’s, severe learning difficulties or have had a stroke. It will depend on each individual’s case though and simply having been diagnosed doesn’t automatically mean they qualify –  a doctor must also certify they are severely mentally impaired.
• They’re eligible for (but NOT necessarily actually receiving) at least one of the following benefits:
  • • Incapacity benefit
    • Attendance allowance
    • Severe disablement allowance
    • Disability living allowance (higher or middle-rate care component)
    • Increase in disablement pension (due to constant attendance being needed)
    • Unemployability supplement or allowance
    • Constant attendance allowance
    • Income support (which includes a disability premium)
    • Personal independence payment (standard or enhanced daily living component)
    • Armed forces independence payment

  In England and Wales you can also be eligible for:

  • • Disability working allowance (based on getting income support including disability premium)
    • Universal credit (including an element for limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity)

  In Scotland you can also be eligible for:

  • Tax credits (including disability element)
  • Employment and support allowance
  • Universal credit

The process for making a claim varies by area, so you’ll need to check your local authority’s procedure. Generally:

• First, you’ll need a doctor’s diagnosis. A registered medical practitioner must have diagnosed a condition causing severe mental impairment. In some cases you’ll need to attach a written diagnosis to your claim – in others you just give your doctor’s details and they’ll be contacted for confirmation.
• Then get a claim form from your council. You’ll need to contact your local authority for a claim form to register for a council tax discount (find contact details via the Government’s ‘Apply for Council Tax Reduction’ service).
• Fill the form in and send it off to your council. You may be asked to attach some supporting evidence, such as the doctor’s diagnosis or evidence of eligibility for relevant benefits.

For more please see the Money Saving Expert Website: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/reclaim/2017/09/due-a-council-tax-discount-for-severe-mental-impairment-heres-how-to-claim