Hi, my name is Ricado1961! How can I prove I had a wheelchair when I first moved in?

Ricado1961

Hello Everyone,

I am a 61 year old man who has suffered ill health since I was 36. I am a wheelchair user as I suffer from psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondilitis as well as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and recently suffered a ministroke. As with the rest of us, times are getting tough. I am married, my wife is my carer.

In 2003 I moved to an adapted bungalow with my 2 small children aged 3 and 5. My ex wife left me as she could not cope with my illnesses. She left me to look after them. The bungalow was adapted with wide doors, a level access shower and lowered kitchen units.

In 2012, through Moneysupermarket, I discovered I was entitled to a discount as a wheelchair user and the house was large for my needs. I applied to the council, who sent around an officer who confirmed the discount, backdated a year. I then discovered it should have been taken back to when I moved it.

I told the council this but they are insisting I prove I used a wheelchair when I first moved in. It was a wheelchair I bought on Ebay, and the account I used is now closed. That can I do? Are the council wrong? Any advice gratefully received.

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community @Ricado1961 Thank you for joining the community, and for telling us about your situation.

This isn't something I have personal experience of, but I hope another member who's been through something similar will find your post soon. 

I discovered I was entitled to a discount as a wheelchair user and the house was large for my needs

Do you mind me asking what kind of discount it was? Do you remember what it was called?

Though your eBay account is now closed, do you still have access to the email address you used to sign up? 

Have the council said what other kinds of proof they might accept, such as a bank statement?

Ricado1961

Hi Tori, 
Thank you for responding. The discount on council tax is as follows.

disabled.

Disabled reduction Scheme

You may be eligible for the scheme if you live in a larger property than you would need if you or another occupant were not disabled.

If you qualify, your bill will be reduced to the next lowest Council Tax band. For example, if your property is in Band D, you’ll pay the Band C rate. If your home is already in the lowest band (Band A), you’ll get a 17% discount on your Council Tax bill instead.

You’ll have to show that you have either:

• an extra bathroom, kitchen or other room that you need for the disabled person
• extra space inside the property for using a wheelchair

The property must be the main home of at least 1 disabled person. This can be an adult or a child - it does not have to be the person responsible for paying the tax.

The hotmail email address was hacked so I cannot use it and had to close it down. 

The council are just asking for proof without stipulating the nature of that proof. The transaction was many years ago and I have changed bank accounts twice since.

Thank you for your interest

R

poppy123456

Ricado1961 said:

In 2012, through Moneysupermarket, I discovered I was entitled to a discount as a wheelchair user and the house was large for my needs. I applied to the council, who sent around an officer who confirmed the discount, backdated a year. I then discovered it should have been taken back to when I moved it.

Is that a typo? If it's not was the any reason why you've left it 10 years after applying the first time? You may find it extremely difficult to get it backdated to as far back as 2003. 6 years maybe the most they will backdate it.

You should get some expert advice from an agency near you. Start here. https://advicelocal.uk/

Ricado1961

Thank you for the link. It is not a typo, when I originally applied, they told me I could only claim back 1 year and I received a small refund. However, according to Moneysavingexpert, refunds are due from when the circumstances first became applicable so it seems I was not told the complete truth. At the time, I was raising a 3 & 5 year old alone, it was extremely difficult but due to ongoing hardship and the pending recession, I am forced to look for alternate ways to raise money.

L_Volunteer

You are welcome @Ricado1961. It is the very least you deserve.

How have things been going for you since you last posted on this thread? I recognise it has been a little while since you last posted on this thread now.

If we can do anything else to support you please don't hesitate to let us know. We are all here for you