Council tax bill cut by full band rate for households needing space | Personal Finance | Finance

The Disabled Band Reduction Scheme could potentially reduce your council tax bill by a full band rate. This scheme is designed to assist disabled people with the additional housing costs they may incur due to their disability. To qualify, there must be at least one disabled person residing in the house, who can be an adult or a child.

You must also prove that the disability forces you to live in a larger property than you would otherwise need, for example, needing an extra bathroom, a specially adapted kitchen or extra rooms, or if the property needs to be made more spacious inside to accommodate a wheelchair.

The disabled person doesn’t have to be the one responsible for paying the council tax bill to be eligible.

This discount could lower your council tax bill by a full band. So, if your property is categorised as Band D, your bill will be adjusted to match the cheaper rates of Band C.

If you’re on the lowest rate, Band A, you’ll receive a 17% discount on your bill instead. You can check your eligibility for the scheme and apply online via the Gov.uk website.

There are other council tax discounts available for disabled residents too. This includes the severely mentally impaired discount which can reduce your council tax bill by a whopping 100%.

To qualify for a full council tax discount, you must prove that you’re severely mentally impaired and stay either alone, only with other peoplewho are also severely mentally impaired, or with full-time students. If every other household member is exempt for different reasons, then a 50% discount can be applied.

But, if you’re severely mentally impaired and live with another adult who isn’t exempt and doesn’t have a disability, the highest discount available to you is 25%.

This exemption is currently under consultation in England, as the proposal notes: “The government believes the current name and definition of this disregard is outdated and alienating to those who suffer with these conditions and may create a barrier for them from claiming the support they are entitled to.”

Planned changes including revamping the name and definition as well as shifting the application process as the government recognises this can be a big barrier for eligible claimants.

Currently, the process varies across local councils, requiring households to source the correct council documents and medical certificates. As stated in the proposal: “The government believes it is right that there is a straightforward and simple pathway for those who are eligible to claim this support.

“However, it also recognises that those eligible (and/or their families) should make an active decision in seeking the disregard and councils should choose the best approach to serve their local areas.”

If these changes are enacted in England, it would not affect people who are already eligible for the discount. Those already receiving it shouldn’t have to undergo a reassessment either.