If you’ve ever looked perplexed at your council tax charges, wondering if there was any way at all to get a discount, there may well be a way. Following a Council Tax rule change back in 2013, a number of councils around the UK delayed updating the information on their websites. This meant that people who would have otherwise qualified for a discount were unaware or were unfairly rejected.
The Liverpool Echo reports that clearer information has revealed that unpaid carers “have been given clearer information on their eligibility for the live-in Carer Council Tax discount”. But in the wake of the information being updated on Council websites, it’s clear that many have missed out on enormous accumulated discounts.
Council tax discount misinformation
Earlier this year, Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert.com website conducted an investigation that revealed that “one in five English and Welsh councils get [online info about the Council Tax Carers Discount] wrong”.
It was found that “at least 69 councils in England and Wales have information about the live-in Carer Council Tax discount on their websites that incorrectly indicates far fewer people are eligible than really are. This is likely to be putting off some of the millions of unpaid Carers from claiming what they’re legally entitled to.“
In the wake of the investigation, incredibly, all 69 of the councils that were ‘named and shamed’ have updated the information on their websites. In the wake of the change, Martin Lewis is encouraging carers to ask for a discount:
“I would encourage all carers who thought they weren’t eligible after previously checking councils’ websites to check again…
“If you did miss out due to councils’ poor info, ask for a backdated discount to the point of first eligibility, though different councils have different rules.”
Council Tax Carers discount
So who is eligible for the Council Tax Carers discount? In 2013, the eligibility criteria were extended. To benefit from the discount, the following criteria must be satisfied.
1. Applicants need to provide at least 35 hours of free care a week to somebody in their household who isn’t a spouse, partner or child under 18.
2. The person being cared for needs to be receiving one of a number of qualifying benefits.
It’s the second point that was extended in 2013 to include more qualifying benefits.
Qualifying benefits now include:
- Attendance Allowance – higher rate.
- Constant Attendance Allowance – increased amount.
- Disability Living Allowance – care component, higher rate.
- Disablement Pension – increased rate.
- Armed Forces Independence Payment – any amount.
- Attendance Allowance – lower rate.
- Disability Living Allowance – care component, middle rate.
- Personal Independence Payment – daily living component, enhanced rate.
- Personal Independence Payment – daily living component, standard rate.
Other Council Tax discounts
There are a number of other reasons why you might pay less council tax.
If you live by yourself, or only one ‘qualifying adult’ lives in the property, the single person discount applies. This is equivalent to 25% off the Council Tax bill.
If no ‘qualifying adults’ live in the property, then a discount of 50% or a 100% exemption will apply. This is not the same as a property being empty.
The following do not count as ‘qualifying adults’ when it comes to Council Tax:
- Those under 18
- Full-time students
- Adults who are ‘severely mentally impaired’ (SMI)
- Live-in carers (as detailed above)
- Care leavers (this does depend on your local council)
- Ukrainian refugees
If you’re on a low income or claim benefits, such as Universal Credit, your household may qualify for a Council Tax reduction. This could be as much as 100%.
If you receive a Pension Credit, your Council Tax could be reduced by up to 100%.
Find out more about council tax discounts here.
