Elderly parents and council tax reductions- anyone?

[GeordieLassy]

Am trying to help my mum complete new forms sent by council re. council tax. We think they have been sent because my dad is now eligible for higher rate Attendance Allowance, as of 2 weeks ago.

Parents already receive a small reduction as on low income. Mum not sure how much reduction- she's going to look as dad used to do it all.
She is worried that the lower savings threshold of £10K may mean they no longer qualify for a reduction and the AA benefits may be cancelled out by having to pay more council tax. They don't have much savings but it's between £10K- £15K. My dad is diagnosed with cognitive impairment though not 'dementia or Alzheimers', but we wonder if his GP would say he is poorly enough to be exempt from paying towards C Tax.

Also, my mum is not happy about having to send off copies of bank statements and all money they have in order to be means tested. They live in a smallish town where everyone knows everyone else, they have relatives working at the council and she knows anything she sends may not remain confidential even though it's supposed to be.

What next?

[CMOTDibbler]

The council tax reduction is such that the person with dementia is 'disregarded' which means your mum would pay as a single person which is a 25% reduction. Its not means tested at all.

Is there a carers centre near to them? They really helped my dad to work his way through claiming for things and what was worth it. My mum had done all the money things, so he was very confused by it and resistant to claiming anything.

I'm sure anyone at the council who does means testing things is very careful about confidentiality. After all, their job depends on it. My parents live in a small town, everyone knows them, and nothing has ever leaked afaik

[whataboutbob]

That's good CMOT. When i contacted the council the guy on the end of the phone had no hesitation in telling me he already knew my Dad because they went to the same church! Things did get processed quickly and he got that 25% reduction.