Council tax carers discount

When we work out a council tax bill for a property, we assume there are two adults living there. If there is only one adult, the bill is reduced by 25%.

Sometimes a discount can be given, even if there is more than one adult in the property. This is because some people are not included when looking at the number of adults, because of their circumstances. If we do not count any of the adults living in the property, a 50% discount is given.

Anyone who qualifies as a carer under the council tax rules will not be included when looking at the number of adults.

There are two types of carers who can qualify. Most will be carers looking after a member of the family or a friend in their own home. Other carers on a low wage who got their job through a charity can also qualify.

Please read the following information carefully. If you think you may qualify under these rules, the person responsible for paying the council tax should fill in a discount application form and send it in with the supporting evidence. See Council tax exemptions and discounts. for further details and an application form.

If you have any queries about carers discount, please phone 01883 732938.

Carers in their own homes

If you live with someone you care for, we do not have to include you if:

• The person you are looking after is not your husband or wife (or partner if unmarried) or a child aged under 18 years.
• The person you care for receives high rate attendance allowance, high rate care component of disability living allowance, an increase to severe disability pension or high rate attendance allowance top up to some service pensions. This usually means the person being cared for needs help both day and night.
• You are living in the same property as the person you care for.
• You look after them for more than 35 hours each week.

To support your claim you will need to supply the following evidence:

• A letter confirming you care for someone for more than 35 hours each week, with a copy of the first two pages of their DSS benefit allowance book.
• A copy of the letter from the DSS or War Pensions office showing what benefits they are entitled to, if they don't have a DSS payment book.

Carers who got their job through a charity

If you live in the same place as the person you care for and are paid no more than £44 per week(£36 prior to 1st April 2007) by a charity or government department, you should apply for a discount. You must care for them for at least 24 hours each week.

You can also get this discount if the person you care for pays you this wage and a charity made the arrangements for you to care for them.

You can still get this discount even if you have some other income apart from your wages as a carer, or if you receive free board from the person you are caring for.

You will need to supply the following evidence:

• A letter to show you are employed by a charity or government department, or a letter from a charity introducing you to the person you care for.
• A copy of your contract of employment and copies of your last six weeks payslips.

What to do next

If you think we should not include you when looking at the number of adults living in the property and this leaves only one person who is liable, the person who pays the council tax should apply for a discount. Please contact us on the details below.

Further information Council tax exemptions and discounts.