Council tax bills may be slashed by up to 17%
The Disabled Band Reduction Scheme is a programme aimed at assisting disabled people with the additional housing costs they incur due to their disability. To qualify, there must be at least one disabled person residing in the house, whether an adult or a child.
You also need to demonstrate that the disability means there's a need to live in a bigger home than would otherwise be required if the person were not disabled. This could be because caring for the disabled person requires an extra bathroom, a specially adapted kitchen or other rooms, or if the property needs to be larger inside to accommodate a wheelchair.
The disabled individual doesn't have to be the one footing the council tax bill to qualify. This discount could reduce your council tax bill by a full band.
If your property falls under Band D, your bill will be adjusted to match the cheaper rates of Band C. If you're on the lowest rate, Band A, you'll receive a 17% discount on your bill instead.
You can check your eligibility for the scheme and apply online via the Gov.uk website. There are other council tax discounts available for disabled residents. This includes the severely mentally impaired discount, which can slash your council tax bill by 100%.
To have the entire bill disregarded, you need to prove you're severely mentally impaired and living alone, with other severely mentally impaired individuals or full-time students. If everyone else in your home is disregarded for other reasons, you can get a 50% discount.
However, if you are severely mentally impaired and living with another adult without a disability who isn't disregarded, you're only entitled to a maximum of a 25% council tax discount. Currently, there's an open consultation in England aimed at revamping this discount.
The government's draft policy notes: "The government believes the current name and definition of this disregard is outdated and alienating to those who suffer with these conditions and may create a barrier for them from claiming the support they are entitled to."
The proposal includes updating the title and definition for the council tax exemption to mirror the Welsh Government, which has renamed it 'significant cognitive impairment'. Additionally, there are plans to streamline the application process as the present system is considered a hurdle for some.
This involves various councils having differing procedures, placing the responsibility on households to obtain the correct council forms and doctors' certificates. The proposed policy statement declares: "The government believes it is right that there is a straightforward and simple pathway for those who are eligible to claim this support."
It also acknowledges that individuals who qualify (and/or their families) should proactively seek out the disregard, and councils should tailor their approach to best serve their local communities.
If these alterations are implemented in England, they wouldn't impact individuals who are already eligible for the discount. Those currently receiving it shouldn't have to undergo a reassessment either.
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