There are many different ways in which your Council Tax bill can be reduced.
If you are on a low income or claiming benefits, you may be able to get help under the Council Tax Reduction scheme..
You may also be entitled to to apply for one of the many Council Tax discounts and exemptions which may be available to you depending on your circumstances. These are not means tested which means you may qualify for them no matter how much income or savings you have.
Discounts and exemptions
The three main discounts and exemptions that people commonly miss out on are detailed below:
Disablement reduction
Who qualifies?
Property which has been adapted for use by a disabled person and one of the following applies:
- An additional bathroom
- An additional kitchen
- Using a wheelchair indoors
- A room has been provided to cater specifically for the disabled person's needs.
What will be the effect on my Council Tax bill?
Reduction in your Council Tax banding eg, if you are a Band B then you will be reduced to a Band A.
How to apply
Complete a Disablement Reduction (PDF) [40KB] application form and send to the address on the top of the form OR phone the Local Taxes Team on 01738 477430.
Personal Disregard on the grounds of Severe Mental Impairment (SMI)
Who qualifies?
Someone who has a permanent severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning, as defined by a medical practitioner AND who gets one of the following benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment daily living component
- Disability Living Allowance middle or highest rate care component
- Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance (paid as part of Industrial Injuries Benefits or War Disablement Pensions) or an equivalent benefit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Income support which includes a disability premium (or your partner has a disability premium for them included in their income-based Jobseeker's Allowance)
- The disability element of Working Tax Credit
- You are over state pension age and would have been entitled to one of the above benefits if you were under state pension age
What will be the effect on my Council Tax bill?
It depends how many people live in the property. If all but one of the adults is disregarded, a 25% discount is awarded. If all the residents are Severely Mentally Impaired then an exemption is awarded.
How to apply
Get GP/consultant to complete a Doctors Certificate (PDF) [27KB] (Discount/exemption on grounds of severe mental impairment)
Complete the Personal Disregard (PDF) [142KB] application form (Section D) OR phone the Local Taxes Team on 01738 477430.
Carer discount
Who qualifies?
If you provide care for at least 35 hours or more per week to someone else living in the property (apart from your spouse/partner or a child aged under 18) who gets either the:
- Enhanced rate daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
- Higher rate of Attendance Allowance
- Highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance
You do not need to be claiming or have underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance to qualify for a Carers Disregard.
More than one person in the property can get a Carers Disregard as long as each individual spends at 35 hours or more per week looking after the disabled person.
The disabled person may also qualify for a disregard if they are severely mentally impaired. See above.
What will be the effect on my Council Tax bill?
It depends how many people live in the property. If all but one of the adults is disregarded, a 25% discount is awarded. If more than one person is disregarded then a 50% reduction may apply.
How to apply
Complete a Personal Disregard (PDF) [142KB] application form (Section E) and send to the address on the top of the form OR phone the Local Taxes Team on 01738 477430.
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