Council Tax Discount

Wibbles

I am now (or shortly will be) receiving enhanced PIP

I have been looking at other benefits linked to this and have found a possible entitlement to a council tax discount

However - my local council are unclear as to this

Their website implies that this is discount based on banding and lowering the band by one for certain adaptions - rather than an actual discount due to disability from standard payment...and even then only for "severely mentally impaired"

And why do they make it so HARD  to claim a refund on, already paid car tax ?

You cant do it on-line... you have to do it, in person at a post office !

Any advice ?

janer1967

The banding is a different thing to council tax reduction each council set their own criteria for council tax reduction 

It is normal to be eligible if you get certain benefits like uc or esa sometimes pip comes into it 

If you can't find details on website under council tax reduction then give them a call to enquire 

poppy123456

For your car tax, when doing this for the first time you have no other option but to do it at a post office. This is because your Tax class needs to be changed to “disabled” before it can be taxed. You will need to take everything with you when you go. 

For future yearly tax you can then do it online or by post. 

See link https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1057921/ins216_how_to_apply_for_free_disabled_tax.pdf

Wibbles

I have looked in to council tax discounts and my my LA only lowers of the band by one - rather than a single person discount ?

Is this normal ?

They state on the webpage that if you have grab rails fitted then this entitles you to a whole band drop !

saving £200 pa

But, I need to run through hoops to obtain this - they are not willing to accept my PIP form as proof - they need GP input and a home visit/assessment

calcotti

Reduction in banding due to home adaptions is completely different issue to single person discount.

Wibbles

calcotti said:

Reduction in banding due to home adaptions is completely different issue to single person discount.

So a single band drop is the best that I can expect? 

calcotti

Your band may be dropped if your home has been adapted for a person with a disability. This could include items such as an extra bathroom or kitchen for the person who is disabled to use, a room which is 'predominantly' used by the disabled person or a room that has been adapted specifically for the disabled person to use or alterations to the home to create sufficient floor space so a disabled person can use a wheelchair in the home.

Just having grab rails fitted will not qualify for a drop in band.