Council tax and alzheimers

[catherinewa]

My dad has just been diagnosed although I have had a hunch for a couple of years . He with my mum who getsv anxious and cannot distract herself until dad has sorted whatever tiny issue ... (for years)
Hr claims he is not ill enough to apply for reduced council tax
Is there a line he has to cross for him not being considered for council tax? Does he have to have formally lost capacity so mum can gwt single person discount on council tax?
And if yes, who judges this?

 

[Sue741215]

I think it varies from Council to Council. Our council requires receipt of a benefit eg attendance allowance to show that you have the illness but I believe other Councils may accept a diagnosis of dementia. I suggest you contact the appropriate Council or just go on website to check their Council's criteria as a first step - you can do this as a general enquiry and it may help you in persuading your mum and dad if he seems to meet the criteria. Once I got attendance allowance it was an easy form to fill in to claim the CT reduction.

 

[leny connery]

our Age Uk told me that it is means tested, so no council tax discount if you have savings. I think it is still over 23,500,

 

[Grannie G]

our Age Uk told me that it is means tested, so no council tax discount if you have savings. I think it is still over 23,500,

I found this.

Discounts, disregards and exemptions on council tax

Some people will be eligible for discounts, disregards and exemptions on their council tax. All of these terms have different meanings, so it’s important to know the difference.

www.alzheimers.org.uk

Council tax discount for people living with dementia

Dementia UK is a charity that provides Admiral Nurses for families affected by dementia. Call our Dementia Helpline to find out how we can support you.

www.dementiauk.org

 

[jackdog35]

I got the discount for my parents. I downloaded form from council website, got gp to sign it and within two days of returning to council my parents had discount. They get attendance allowance which I had to prove but no questions about what savings they have

 

[Jessbow]

our Age Uk told me that it is means tested, so no council tax discount if you have savings. I think it is still over 23,500,

i think Age UK told you wrong.

 

[canary]

our Age Uk told me that it is means tested, so no council tax discount if you have savings. I think it is still over 23,500,

Its not council tax discount you want - its council tax disregard due to "severe mental incapacity" (charming eh?) which covers everyone with a diagnosis of dementia and in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or PIP. I think the GP has to sign the form, but I may be wrong there. It is not means tested

 

[Sue741215]

I wasn't asked for GP to sign form - I think the Council take it as ok if you are getting allowance. May be different for other Council's.

 

[nitram]

I wasn't asked for GP to sign form - I think the Council take it as ok if you are getting allowance. May be different for other Council's.

Did they ask for permission to contact GP?
Several LAs do this and send the certificate to the GP to sign and return.
People without any mental impairment can receive relevant benefits.

 

[extoyboy]

When we applied I provided the details of the nurse at the memory clinic rather than our GP (as the clinic's diagnosis was recent) and the council accepted their confirmation as proof. It took a bit of chasing as correspondence between the council and clinic was all postal and went missing but we got there in the end and it was back-dated to her diagnosis date.

 

[Ibiza1]

My dad has just been diagnosed although I have had a hunch for a couple of years . He with my mum who getsv anxious and cannot distract herself until dad has sorted whatever tiny issue ... (for years)
Hr claims he is not ill enough to apply for reduced council tax
Is there a line he has to cross for him not being considered for council tax? Does he have to have formally lost capacity so mum can gwt single person discount on council tax?
And if yes, who judges

My dad has just been diagnosed although I have had a hunch for a couple of years . He with my mum who getsv anxious and cannot distract herself until dad has sorted whatever tiny issue ... (for years)
Hr claims he is not ill enough to apply for reduced council tax
Is there a line he has to cross for him not being considered for council tax? Does he have to have formally lost capacity so mum can gwt single person discount on council tax?
And if yes, who judges this?

Hi Catherine, my mum was diagnosed in July 21. I have POA and applied for the council tax relief on her behalf this year. They contacted her GP who confirmed the diagnosis and the CT was refunded back dated to July 21. Mum also gets attendance allowance, which I applied for on her behalf. Probably best to ring the council and check their guidance. Good luck. Life is hard enough caring for someone with dementia so I’d go for all the benefits that you can get and to which your dad is entitled.

 

[leny connery]

Its not council tax discount you want - its council tax disregard due to "severe mental incapacity" (charming eh?) which covers everyone with a diagnosis of dementia and in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or PIP. I think the GP has to sign the form, but I may be wrong there. It is not means tested

ok, thanks, @canarry, will try and talk again with CAB as the admiral nurse did tell me we can, but AGE UK told me it is mean tested

 

[Browlands]

Hello, I can confirm that the Council Tax discount of 25% is not means tested. As long as you have a diagnosis of Dementia and are in receipt of Attendance Allowance and or other benefits you will be granted the discount speak to your local council office

 

[richlyn123]

My dad has just been diagnosed although I have had a hunch for a couple of years . He with my mum who getsv anxious and cannot distract herself until dad has sorted whatever tiny issue ... (for years)
Hr claims he is not ill enough to apply for reduced council tax
Is there a line he has to cross for him not being considered for council tax? Does he have to have formally lost capacity so mum can gwt single person discount on council tax?
And if yes, who judges this?

 

[nitram]

I can confirm that the Council Tax discount of 25% is not means tested.

It's not a discount and not a fixed 25%, it's a non means tested disregard, for council tax purposes the person does not exist.

Sole occupant disregarded - no council tax.
Two occupants, one disregarded - sole occupant 25% reduction applies.
Three or more occupants, one disregarded - two or more occupants no reduction.

More than one occupant can be disregarded.

 

[leny connery]

Hello, I can confirm that the Council Tax discount of 25% is not means tested. As long as you have a diagnosis of Dementia and are in receipt of Attendance Allowance and or other benefits you will be granted the discount speak to your local council office

thank you, I will try that

 

[siobhan55]

thank you, I will try that

Hi
My mum was diagnosed a year ago but her attendance allowance was only granted in February. It was April before we got the form back from doctor and our local council have only just amended their bill by the 25% reduction. They have backdated it though.