Council tax
- Thread starter whitehead1976
- Start date
I agree that some LA employees don't seem to understand the differences between discounts, disregards, and exemptions, especially when they can impact on some benefits.
Try and get some free local help to sort everything out.
Contact your local AgeUK (scroll down https://www.ageuk.org.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl6P3kPa71wIVDfEbCh0FbgxNEAAYASAAEgJ7PPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds and put your postcode in the search box to find where they are near you)
or CAB ( scroll down to the bottom right of https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-we-provide-advice/advice/ and put your postcode in to find where they are near you)
I also live with my mum Whitehead. I applied to the Council as soon as I found out about this Council Tax disregard for people diagnosed with dementia. I had never heard of it, and it was only by using TP that I found out about it. The council sent me two forms - one for mum, and one for me. The GP had to sign mum's application and I filled in mine. We now only pay 25% of the Council Tax. I'm not really sure how we got to this though! I think that mum's CT liability is zero, but it seems like I got a 50% reduction on the rest of it as I am a full time carer. At the time of applying I was actually in employment, but only working a few hours a week. I did call and tell them this and they said it was OK - I still got the discount. I'm very grateful as our full CT bill was not small. It can't have been a mistake as I filled in the forms clearly and told them about my job (I don't work now).
Maybe each LA has different rules?
Maybe each LA has different rules?
Thanks,I did have an app that recorded all conversations on my phone but lost those after a phone reset,it would be good to have a record of what was said I also filled in both of those forms and even had to pay £10 for the doctor to sign it,we thought we had a good discount before the finance department rang me telling me otherwise,I was paranoid when they rang as it made me feel worried that they may have thought I was trying to get something that we were not eligible for,the forms were posted to me after requesting them over the phone without any rules sent with them
A doctor is not allowed to charge for signing an SMI disregard form. If this is what he charged you for, show them this link and demand your money back, otherwise you'll report them:
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/fees/certificates-no-charge
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/fees/certificates-no-charge
Thank you, I didn’t know this. It is the one thing I have been meaning to do...and not got round to.
That's interesting it was the lady on the reception desk that asked for the payment,I assume there must be some things that you are charged for and somebody has made an error,it did seem a bit heartless,I'm now thinking will I sound like an awkward member of the practice if I question this.
I have just contaced them and the receptionist said the doctors don't have to sign one as it's not an NHS form and it's a private thing,I mentioned the BMA and she said "who are they"And put me through to the offices but the line was busy
Oh dear. Well you are right and she is clueless.
I'd print this out
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/fees/certificates-no-charge
I realise you've already been given the link but sometimes having it on paper is more effective.
I'd print this out
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/employment/fees/certificates-no-charge
I realise you've already been given the link but sometimes having it on paper is more effective.
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What a clueless ninny. Fancy working in a GP surgery and no knowing who the BMA is! It's not a private form either, it's a council form that demands a doctor's signature. They can't refuse to sign. And they can't charge for it either. I hope you'll manage to set them straight.
I did get through to them in the end further up the chain of command, was told it was considered "private work"I mentioned the BMA notes and the lady said she would have to have a look at them.
I think I will leave it at that as the £10 was paid ages ago,and I don't want to upset them.I like a quiet life.
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That's exactly what should happen Sarah. The date the GP gives the council is the date the disregards starts. I got a refund too to the date when I could prove an SMI.
I don't think some people at the council know the difference between a discount which is means tested and a disregard which isn't.
K
I don't think some people at the council know the difference between a discount which is means tested and a disregard which isn't.
K
It's staggering that people working in those departments often haven't got a clue
I only found out about this ‘disregard’ recently when the ‘unforgettable’ Site emailed me with a heads up link to Money supermarket on this subject. M. Lewis is championing an investigation into councils not making info available and giving wrong advice. (V. Hard to find on BM LA website ... had given up and written to them before discovering the online form - tucked away).
I am two months waiting for Britain’s second city LA to pay up for ... back to the date of SMI on GP cert - 2011 the last 7 yrs! (BMAAS advice and assessment team never mentioned it in 2011 but it was definitely around then as I just read about it in the 18yr old book ‘Understanding Dementia’ Jacques &Jackson (which I’m not recommending here or anything - just reading).
Could everyone keep everything crossed for my Dad getting his money back - he’s going to need it for his 100th birthday party rave in a few months time. Thanks.
I am two months waiting for Britain’s second city LA to pay up for ... back to the date of SMI on GP cert - 2011 the last 7 yrs! (BMAAS advice and assessment team never mentioned it in 2011 but it was definitely around then as I just read about it in the 18yr old book ‘Understanding Dementia’ Jacques &Jackson (which I’m not recommending here or anything - just reading).
Could everyone keep everything crossed for my Dad getting his money back - he’s going to need it for his 100th birthday party rave in a few months time. Thanks.
