Disability reduction scheme
You may be able to get a reduction in council tax under the disability reduction scheme if anyone resident in the property (adult or child) is ‘substantially and permanently disabled’.
In addition, one of the following conditions has to be met:
- there is an additional bathroom or kitchen in the property which is needed by the disabled person
- there is a room (other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) needed by and mainly used by the disabled person
- there is enough space in the property for the disabled person to use a wheelchair indoors
There is no general test of who is considered ‘substantially and permanently disabled’. However, if a person is registered as disabled with their local council, this should be enough to satisfy this condition (although this does not mean that someone who is not on the register would not fit this condition). It could also help to provide supporting evidence from your GP/consultant.
Cases have clarified that if an extra room is required it means that it is additional, ie it would not be required for the relevant purpose if the person were not disabled.
A disability reduction will mean that the council tax bill is reduced to the amount payable for a home in the valuation band below yours. If you are in the lowest band already (Band A) you get a reduction of one sixth of the bill.
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