Thousands of UK households could be eligible for a complete council tax exemption, reducing their annual bill to £0, under rules for residents with a severe mental impairment.
What Qualifies as a Severe Mental Impairment?
A severe mental impairment is a condition that significantly affects how a person thinks and interacts with others. According to guidance from Birmingham City Council, this can include diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, the lasting effects of a stroke, or severe learning difficulties. It may also result from a brain injury.
To be eligible for the council tax discount, the individual must be aged 18 or over and their condition must be certified by a registered medical professional, such as a GP, using a specific Doctor’s Certificate.
The Crucial Link to DWP Benefits
Having a certified impairment is not the only requirement. The person must also be entitled to receive at least one of 14 specific benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The full list of qualifying benefits is:
- Incapacity Benefit
- Attendance Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- An increase in the rate of Disablement Pension where constant attendance is needed
- The care component of Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher rate)
- Personal Independence Payment (standard or enhanced daily living component)
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Unemployability Supplement
- Income Support including a disability premium for incapacity for work
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (if received by the partner of the severely mentally impaired person)
- Disability Living Allowance where the claimant gets Income Support including a disability premium
- Universal Credit, including an element for limited capability for work or for work and work-related activity
How to Apply for the 100% Discount
If a person with a severe mental impairment lives alone, or if all other adults in the household are also severely mentally impaired or are full-time students, the household qualifies for a 100% council tax discount.
Birmingham City Council, which outlined the rules, advises applicants to have their Doctor’s Certificate and a DWP entitlement letter ready before starting the application process. The council provides a form for doctors to complete if a certificate is not already available.
This significant financial support is a crucial measure for vulnerable residents, potentially saving them thousands of pounds each year. Households are encouraged to check their eligibility with their local council, as the policy is a national scheme administered by individual local authorities.
