If someone in your home has a severe mental impairment
You can get a reduction in your council tax if you, or someone aged 18 or over who lives with you, is severely mentally impaired and not counted for council tax purposes.
The legislation and qualifying rules say they must be "severely mentally impaired". This includes people who have been diagnosed as suffering with severe and enduring mental health issues such as Alzheimer's disease, other forms of dementia and strokes.
This must be confirmed by a doctor or other health professional.
The person must also qualify for one of these benefits even if they don't receive it, for example because they are pension age:
- Short-term or long-term Incapacity Benefit (IB)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)
- The highest or middle-rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment Daily Living Component at either standard or enhanced rate
- An increase in Disablement Pension for constant attendance
- The disability element of Working Tax Credit
- Unemployability Supplement (abolished in 1987 but existing claimants remain entitled)
- Constant Attendance Allowance payable under the Industrial Injuries or War Pension schemes
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Income Support which includes a disability premium because of incapacity for work
- The ‘limited capability for work’ or ‘the limited capability for work related elements’ of Universal Credit
A person in the household who has a severe mental impairment may not lead to a reduction in Council Tax. For example, if two or more people in the household are counted for council tax purposes. Apply if you are not sure, and we can check for you.
To award the discount we need proof of the medical condition and of the qualifying benefit:
- Download and print a copy of the Severe Mental Impairment Certificate, ask a health professional to complete it and then send it to us. If you can't print it, you can ask us to send you one. Please ring 0161 234 5002.
- Provide a copy of the award letter from the Department for Work and Pensions as proof of a qualifying benefit.
If everyone living at the property has a severe mental impairment, each person must complete their own form and provide their own doctor's certificate and proof of qualifying benefit.