Just so folks know or may not know about council tax and DLA

[kay123]

If you have DLA at any rate you can get council tax relief. I was paying the full rate of council tax and found out that being on DLA I didn't have to, the council had to repay me hundreds of pounds.

[getactive]

Thats good news for you enjoy your money and treat yourself. I will have to check if I can get anything x

[julieevh]

Wow I didn't know that - I'll get on to the council on monday!

Julie xx

[Hidden]

Does that apply if you're married with a working husband/ wife too ?

xx

[kay123 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, and my Son who works full time and lives with me doesn't have too either because it goes on the address not the person.

[hugosmum70]

dont forget that things are changing...central government are offloading their responsibility for running council tax benefit onto local government. so now your local councils have to work out a scheme for themselves and will be running it themselves. so everyone will now have to pay SOME council tax. each council works their own out so the rules wont be universal any longer as they are now.

[marzy]

Just readall these comments and yes, it will be very different and a lot will depend on how well off your local council is. Some intend to keep 100 council tax benefit for the pensioners and some will not be able to carry this burden.

It all starts as of April next year. One of many changes by our current government.

x

[kay123 in reply to marzy]

This government are (forgive me for the language) are right t*ts, they know nothing about disability, or how conditions affects our every day lives. They seem to think we are all malingerers and vagabonds.

[66Amanda66]

Hi folks, I got really excited when i read this post!!, and I have just spent an hour and a half online, doing the government/local council benefit checker, which calculates your income etc and tells you if you are entitled to any help with council tax benefit, i meticulously put in my income from benefits and my husbands pay etc, and it says i am NOT entitled to any council tax benefit ? so i think Kay 123 is mistaken ? Maybe its only applicable if your total household income is below a certain amount ??

It did ask ask me if i have any rooms in my house which are specially adapted to help me with my disability, the answer is no as i cant afford a wet room etc. Maybe the benefit is for people who do have adapted rooms ??? i dont really know but will phone up on Monday.

I am on Higher rate DLA for Mobility as im virtually unable to walk and lower rate for care, and also on long term incapacity.

Please dont get all excited thinking you will be able to pay less council tax as i just did, it just isn't as simple as that im afraid, but do phone your local council and check and let us know how you got on, regards and soft hugs, Amanda x

[kay123 in reply to 66Amanda66]

Our household income is above average and although I do have a wet-room etc I was told even though I am on DLA I get the Council Tax benefit and have done so for three years.

[Hidden]

I did read somewhere that people on DLA are entitled to a reduction on council tax some time ago. We pay full council tax and don't get any council tax benefit so I will be ringing them Monday to enquire.

xx

[kay123]

I got the council tax benefit before I got the wet room installed, so I can't see it was that that reduced my council tax bill. I am on ESA but because my son lives at home and works full time we had to pay, when I began getting DLA I was told by the CAB to claim as I was paying for tax I didn't have to pay. The council had to pay me back the best part of a years council tax.

It maybe that people who are in different boroughs or towns have different rules but I was also told by the carer's centre that if your on DLA at any level you can claim.

[kay123]

For all the skepticism all I can say is claim, if you don't then you could be losing out, you have nothing to lose and lots to gain. :o)

[66Amanda66]

I agree with Ellen 29, its just not fair, i really need an adapted bathroom, im struggling with having a shower and i cant get any help towards the cost of a wetroom, but others who do have adapted rooms qualify for Council tax reductions. Where is the justice in that ? i cant win either way !

Currently trying to save up for a wetroom while on benefits !

Amanda x

[kay123 in reply to 66Amanda66]

Firstly you need an occupational assessment to get a grant to have a wet room, it can be done for private, rented or council homes. I was given a grant for £8000 for a wetroom and it was much needed.

[Ozzygirl64]

So glad you are due a refund, have fun spending it xxxxx

[Celticmoon]

Yes ~ really pleased for you. Have fun & spend it on something totally unnecessary that will bring you 100% joy!!

[XHelp]

Hi does anu one know if this applies in Wales ??

[Ginsing]

Wow this is interesting does it apply to Scotland? I must look into it cheers xgins

[Hidden]

hi i get my full rent paid for me as i have a mobitily adapted house , all my cuboards are off the floor and i have a stair lift and wet room, the door ways are bigger for my wheelchair, xx

[kay123]

direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPe...

[historynut]

Is that right for all of us? I have been on full rate DLA for care and mobility (fibro and MS) for around 8 years and never had council tax relief, apart from when my husband was out of work for 3 months about 4 years ago. The council never told me I could carry on getting it once I advised them he had a new job, even though they knew I was on full DLA.

I have had to give up work since my last claim due to my health, so might give them a ring tomorrow and ask ..... well the worse they can do is say no lol

[kay123 in reply to historynut]

Please let us know how you get on x

[Hidden]

Well, husband rang the council today and they've told us the rebate is only available to those who have had adaptations made to a property because of disability or for people who need a full time carer because of severe mental impairment who are claiming certain benefits . It involves re-banding the property ( say reducing the council tax band from C to B etc )

They referred him to housing benefit department but we already know we are over the income threshold for council tax benefit , so looks like we are getting a big fat zero

[historynut]

I got the same response as HelenUK1963, so sadly no discount for me either :o(