Council tax

[Skylark/2]

Good morning,

Help please if possible.
Does anyone come under Sefton Council?
I am finding it impossible to apply for a council tax reduction on line on the Sefton Council website. On line is the way the council has asked for it to be done, they say they will respond within 2 weeks!
I fill in the on line form ( O.H has had Alzheimers for about 2+ years) ) and then try to attach the copies of the AA form and the signed G.P’s form. I can attach one form but the web page won’t let be do both! I have tried 3 times, my son tried at Xmas, no luck. I’ve tried to phone them, no answer just a long recorded message. I phoned the local carers association for advice, no luck there, our Citizens Advice office is closed!
Help and suggestions gratefully received. Thank you.

 

[McSuffolk]

Hi
i had similar issues with an online application and had given up but the social prescriber at mums doctors made a request for a paper application to be sent out to me.

 

[Jessbow]

just send the GP form

 

[nitram]

@Skylark/2
Assuming it only allows one form rather than does not like content on one of them.
Print forms as PDF and merge into one form.
Merging can be done online eg https://www.adobe.com/uk/acrobat/online/merge-pdf.html

 

[Dave63]

Hi @Skylark/2

Not sure if it's any help but on the Sefton Council website they show an option for applying in person. You can fill out the application at the Bootle or Southport office and you can submit the forms at libraries in Crosby, Formby, Maghull, Netherton or Southport.

How to apply for Council Tax Reduction | Sefton Council

<span>To apply, you must complete an application form which you must return with proof of your identity, income and savings. </span>

sefton.gov.uk

 

[Kevinl]

I got my wifes discount backdated to diagnosis date.
K

 

[maggie6445]

Good morning,

Help please if possible.
Does anyone come under Sefton Council?
I am finding it impossible to apply for a council tax reduction on line on the Sefton Council website. On line is the way the council has asked for it to be done, they say they will respond within 2 weeks!
I fill in the on line form ( O.H has had Alzheimers for about 2+ years) ) and then try to attach the copies of the AA form and the signed G.P’s form. I can attach one form but the web page won’t let be do both! I have tried 3 times, my son tried at Xmas, no luck. I’ve tried to phone them, no answer just a long recorded message. I phoned the local carers association for advice, no luck there, our Citizens Advice office is closed!
Help and suggestions gratefully received. Thank you.

Hi @Skylark/2: I'm not your council area but I expect lots of councils request on line applications but I didn't know that at the time.(2022)
Following diagnosis,the memory clinic nurse visited and I was told of the disregard. I wrote a letter addressed to ' The Disregard Council Tax Department' with the councils address. I explained briefly the situation. A week later I got a letter with a tick box form ,requesting details,DLA/AA, GP address and a permission request to contact GP. I returned the form and three weeks later I received a letter awarding the disregard and telling me a refund would be paid into my account . Refund was because the award was from the previous September when GP surgery had been informed of the diagnosis.
It was quick and much easier than I imagined it would be. I'd write a paper letter if I were you .
Best wishes

 

[nitram]

I got my wifes discount backdated to diagnosis date.
K

Assuming qualifying benefit eligibility at that date, correct, not all LAs back date in accordance with legalisation although date of SMI confirmation can be a problem.

2(1)A person shall be disregarded for the purposes of discount on a particular day if—
(a)on the day he is severely mentally impaired;

(b)as regards any period which includes the day he is stated in a certificate of a registered medical practitioner to have been or to be likely to be severely mentally impaired; and

(c)as regards the day he fulfils such conditions as may be prescribed by order made by the Secretary of State.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/14/schedule/1/crossheading/the-severely-mentally-impaired .

3.—(1) The condition prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 2(1)(c) of Schedule 1 to the Act is that the person in question is entitled to one of the qualifying benefits listed in paragraph (2) below.

(2) The qualifying benefits for the purposes of paragraph (1) are—
....
....

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/548/made .

 

[Skylark/2]

Hello everyone,

thank you for your advice, this is the place to come if you need support and advice on ANY subject!
Our Social Subscriber phoned me at lunchtime and so I told him my problem…..I am meeting him on Friday and he is going to sort it out! Thank you @McSuffolk .

 

[McSuffolk]

I’m happy to help and hear you’ve sorted a solution 😊 I’m sure those local authority websites pages for disregard etc are designed to be as difficult to navigate as they possibly can be!

 

[Kevinl]

DonT know I just got asked for proof of a Severe Mental Impairment SMI and got the backdate, council tax and what was then Carers Allowance for me.
More than 10 years age, might be the rules have changed, UK England rules applied then.
K

 

[Oakapple]

Good morning,

Help please if possible.
Does anyone come under Sefton Council?
I am finding it impossible to apply for a council tax reduction on line on the Sefton Council website. On line is the way the council has asked for it to be done, they say they will respond within 2 weeks!
I fill in the on line form ( O.H has had Alzheimers for about 2+ years) ) and then try to attach the copies of the AA form and the signed G.P’s form. I can attach one form but the web page won’t let be do both! I have tried 3 times, my son tried at Xmas, no luck. I’ve tried to phone them, no answer just a long recorded message. I phoned the local carers association for advice, no luck there, our Citizens Advice office is closed!
Help and suggestions gratefully received. Thank you.

 

[Oakapple]

Yes I live in same local authority.

I can't remember the precise details but I do remember it was very quick coming through, within a couple of weeks. If I remember correctly once I received the form back from the GP I just posted it off.
I know this isn't much help to you but maybe just send it through the post.
I do remember thinking how quick and effecient Sefton had been.
Good luck.