Can you save money on your council tax? | Tenant news

Some people living in England, Scotland or Wales are entitled to save money on council tax if they are considered ‘severely mentally impaired’ or live with someone who is.

What does ‘severely mentally impaired’ mean?

Severely mentally impaired (SMI) is an official term used in UK legislation to describe someone who has 'a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning which appears to be permanent'.

The impairment could be a profound learning difficulty, or could be the result of having a condition like:

• Alzheimer’s or dementia,
• Parkinson’s,
• Multiple Sclerosis, or
• a severe stroke etc.

Get up to 100% off your council tax

If you or someone who lives in your home is considered SMI, you could be entitled to a discount on your council tax. Here’s how it works. If you’re SMI and:

• live alone, you’ll get 100% off your council tax bill, which means you won’t have to pay council tax
• live with an adult carer, you’ll only have to pay 50% of your council tax bill
• live with one adult who qualifies to pay council tax: your home will get 25% off your council tax bill
• live with two or more adults who qualify to pay council tax, your home pays the full council tax amount.

Find out more about who qualifies to pay council tax.

What proof do I need?

To apply for the discount, you will need a certificate from a medical professional like a GP to say you have a permanent impairment that affects your day-to-day life. You’ll also need to be receiving 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

You can find out more on your local council’s website, Find your local council.

How to claim

If you live in England or Wales and are entitled to money off your council tax you’ll need to apply for your discount via your local council’s website. Find out more and Apply for Council Tax Discount.

If you live in Scotland, see discounts, exemptions and reductions to apply via your local council.