Council Tax Discount

[MysticMum68]

My DS and DH claim PIP and get a C/Tax discount of 25%. My DS has now started a job but is still entitled to PIP. Because there are two working in the household, (myself and my DS), does my DH still qualify for the C/Tax reduction?

Whether the household still qualifies for a 25% discount depends on why the household is receiving the 25% discount. PIP doesn’t automatically equal a discount so you will need to know why the discount is being applied. For example, are DH and DS disregarded due to SMI? Are you or DH disregarded as a carer for DS (you can’t be disregarded as a carer for DH)?

I don't get a discount for being on pip. However I get a one band reduction for needing a room built/especially for a disability. In my case this was a downstairs bedroom and wet room. I had to supply medical evidence of need. If you look on your council website there should be a section that states what need means you can apply for a discount. When ds started work and was on pip I lost the single person discount.

Thank you for reaching out to me. My DH has a SMI and does not work This is noted on the C/Tax letter we get. My DS has Autism but has a job now and I work so two in the household are working. Hope this can help as this area on qualifying for the discount still I am unsure still.

In our council area it is about which element of PIP. You need to just go on the council website and read up on it

So DH will still be disregarded. However, if there are 2 other adults in the household eligible to pay council tax there won’t be a 25% discount.

Why was DS previously disregarded/exempt? Was it because he was in education?

You can be disregarded if you are DS’s carer.

If DH is classed SMI then he won’t count for council tax purposes, you should also be disregarded as a carer. So you should get a 25% discount as effectively there’s only a single person living there. PIP and who is and is not working doesn’t generally make any difference to council tax.

My adult DS claims PIP and is classed as SMI, I’m his carer and also disregarded. DH is retired and we get a 25% discount.

OP would need to be disregarded as a carer for DS. She can’t be disregarded as a carer for DH because the disregard doesn’t apply to married couples.

PIP is relevant because that is one way of meeting part of the SMI test. It is also one of the qualifying benefits the person a carer is caring for needs to be in receipt of.

OP may be entitled to a 50% discount. It depends on why DS was previously disregarded.

Good points so thank you for your valuable input.. My DS was in Uni so was disregarded for CTax. He has a job now so this is my area of concern and would need clarifying whether my DH loses his C/Tax discount. I can't contact the council till Tuesday, but the forum is proving quite valuable in the interim. I am not a carer for my son as I work FT on a normal not low income.

If there are now two adults in the household then, unless there are other disregards that either you or DS can use then I think you're liable for the whole bill.

Speak to the Council and see if they can help.

If you're on a low income might you get a reduction for that?

So DH can still be disregarded due to SMI. You can be disregarded as DS’s carer if he is receiving the daily living component of PIP and you are caring for him (you don’t have to be in receipt of carer’s allowance). That would mean only DS is in your household is eligible to pay council tax so the household can be eligible for a 25% discount.

If you aren’t eligible for the carer disregard, although DH would still be disregarded, there would be two eligible adults and therefore no discount.

Thanks SFS, that was my thinking. I think because of my income I dont think I would be disregarded, so will call them Tuesdya to clarify.

just seen some paperwork and a form was certified by the doctor as he was SMI a nd at UNI. I thought I had him disregarded due to UNi as we have twins and both were in Uni.

So both DS &DH each have a form completed to be disregarded due to SMI signed by the doctor and submitted to the Council.

My question would be then, would my DS who is working now mean that the SMI form on file for him is no longer effective?

Your income is irrelevant to the carer disregard. It doesn’t matter if you earn too much to receive carer’s allowance.

On its own, DS starting work doesn’t mean he isn’t still disregarded under the SMI criteria.

If DS and DH are disregarded due to SMI, and you are disregarded as a carer for DS, and there isn’t any other adult in your household eligible to pay council tax, your household can receive a 50% discount.