Council Tax Exemption For People Who Are Severely Mentally Impaired

Lorraine Moss a Welfare Benefits Adviser, today writes her column for the Havering Daily.

People who are severely Mentally Impaired can apply to their local authority to be exempt from paying Council Tax.  This would be of benefit to people who live alone or if one member of a couple is classed as severely mentally impaired then they would be eligible for the 25% single person’s discount.

This applies to anyone who;

Has a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which arrears to be permanent;

Has a certificate from a registered medical practitioner confirming this (which may cover a past, present or future period and,

 Is entitled to one of the following benefits:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) middle or highest rate care component. 

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) 

Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance

Severe Disablement Allowance

Universal Credit including a work capability amount

The Disabled Workers Element of Working Tax Credit

Or anyone who is over pension age and would who would have been entitled to one of the above benefits if under pension age

(Source Disability Rights Handbook 2020/2021)

To apply for Council Tax Exemption in Havering the application form can be downloaded on the following link https://www.havering.gov.uk/downloads/file/155/person_with_severe_mental_impairment.  Or alliteratively you can call 01708 433997.  The application form consists of 2 parts the first has to be completed by the applicant or someone acting on their behalf including proof that they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit and part B has to be completed and signed by the applicants GP.

The types of conditions that this covers could be if someone is suffering from Dementia or has severe learning difficulties and many other illnesses that meet the criteria and the application has to include a signed declaration by the applicants Doctor.