Reductions for disabled people

How do I qualify?

You must have a qualifying disabled person permanently living in your home. Also, your home must have qualifying alterations or features that are essential, or are of major importance, to the well-being of the disabled person.

What is a qualifying disabled person?

The disabled person must be substantially and permanently physically disabled. Their disability can be as a result of an accident or birth defect. It can also include a blind person.

Someone registered as disabled with Social Services should already qualify.

The disabled person does not need to be the Council Tax payer, and can be of any age.

To qualify, what alterations or features does my home need to have?

It must have one of the following:

A room (not a kitchen, bathroom or toilet) which is used mainly by the disabled person, such as for a kidney dialysis machine; or
An extra kitchen or bathroom for the disabled person's use. It does not have to be specially adapted or converted; or
Extra space in the house to allow the use of a wheelchair. If the wheelchair is only needed outside this will not qualify.

How do I apply for a reduction?

If you think you qualify for a reduction in your Council Tax, please fill in and return an application form. The form must be filled in by the Council Tax payer.

Download Reduction application form. (PDF 39kb)
Apply online for Disabled persons Council Tax relief

What will happen next?

Our Visiting Officer will contact you to make an appointment to visit you at home. This will be to discuss your application, and inspect the alteration.

Remember - do not let anyone into your home unless you are sure who they are. All Council officers carry an identification card, which you should ask to see before letting anyone into your home.

Will I have to give you any other information?

When our officer visits, they may ask to see some documents or proof that certain benefits or allowances are being paid. Please have any relevant documents ready when our officer calls as this will save time.

We may also ask you to get a letter from your doctor, social worker or occupational therapist to confirm that the alteration is essential or of major importance.

If I qualify, what reduction will I get?

We will work out your Council Tax as if your home is one Tax band lower. So, if your home is in Band D, you will pay as if it is in Band C.

If your home is already in Band A (the lowest band) we will still give you a reduction.

If I qualify, what happens if my circumstances change?

If your or the disabled person's circumstances change, you must tell us straight away, as it may affect the reduction. This can include a change of address, as we will need to inspect the new property.

In each year we will send you a certificate to fill in, to confirm that there have been no changes in circumstances.