Full list of conditions that qualify for council tax discount of up to £2,100

THOUSANDS of households with a disability can get their council tax wiped and save £1,000s a year.

Those on benefits and suffering from certain conditions can get the money off through a severe mental impairment (SMI) exemption.

Households classed as "severely mentally impaired" can get council tax discounts
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Households classed as "severely mentally impaired" can get council tax discountsCredit: Getty

The average Band D council tax bill in England for the 2024/25 year is £2,171 so it's well worth looking into getting a discount if you can.

There's two criteria you need to meet if you want to qualify for a SMI council tax discount.

First, you need to be medically certified as being "severely mentally impaired".

This might be the case if you suffer from one of the following conditions:

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  • Dementia (including Alzheimer's)
  • Parkinson's
  • severe learning difficulties
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Cerebral palsy
  • you have had a stroke

Whether you actually get a discount depends on whether a doctor classes you as SMI though.

You should be able to find a form on your local council's website which you can download, fill in and give to your GP.

Even if, after this, you are classed as SMI, you will still need to be claiming certain benefits to qualify for a discount.

The full list of qualifying benefits is:

  • 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
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Scots are also eligible if they claim tax credits, employment and support allowance or Universal Credit.

If you live in England and Wales you will also qualify for help if you receive disability working allowance or Universal Credit.

In any case, the easiest way to find out if you are eligible is by contacting your local council.

You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government's council locator tool.

What council tax support is available?

THERE are several ways you can get discounts and reductions on your council tax bill.

In some cases, you can even get the bill completely wiped with a council tax reduction.

Factors such as your household income, whether you have children, and if you receive any benefits, will influence what you get.

To apply, visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction.

You'll need your National Insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre, and a passport or driving licence when filling out the details.

Below, we reveal all the ways you can get discounts or a reduction on your bill:

Single person discount

If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.

This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.

If you live with someone who doesn't have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.

And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.

Retirees

Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.

If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.

If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.

And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too.

Low-income households

If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax.

Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live.

You could also get a deferral if you're struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.

But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can.

Tom Farquhar, from disability charity Scope, said: "It's important that people are aware of the discounts and benefits they are eligible for.

"One example is that people in England and Wales with a severe mental impairment (SMI) can get a council tax exemption.

"The easiest way to find out if you are eligible for help with your council tax is to contact your local authority."

The SMI discount you can get off your council tax bill depends on your circumstances.

If you are SMI and living alone you get a 100% discount and if you are SMI and living with an adult carer you get 50% off.

Meanwhile, those living with one adult with SMI get 25% off.

How to claim the discount

How you apply for a SMI discount varies depending on where you live.

If you're based in England or Scotland, you need to contact your local council for a claim form to register for a council tax discount.

You can find this via the Government's "Apply for Council Tax Reduction" service.

You will also, of course, need the doctor's diagnosis, which you can get from your local GP surgery.

You may have to attach this form to your claim form which is submitted to your local council.

After the claim is accepted, the discount should apply automatically every year after this and there's no need to reapply.

Councils are not legally obliged to backdate any claims, but they might depending on where you are based.

Households in Wales can get their claim backdated, and you can download forms off of the Welsh Government's website.

Again, you'll need a doctor's diagnosis which you can attach to the form and send to your council's tax office.

If your council comes back and says it won't give you a SMI council tax discount, you can appeal the decision.

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The process is different in England, Wales and Scotland.

In England, you appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service, in Wales the Valuation Tribunal for Wales and the Valuation Appeal Committee in Scotland.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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