You may be entitled to a Council Tax discount if someone living in your household has been medically certified as having a severe cognitive impairment (SCI).
This includes conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other serious cognitive disorders.
If the person with SCI lives alone, the property may be exempt from Council Tax altogether.
To qualify, the person must be:
- medically certified by a registered practitioner as having a permanent condition that severely affects intellectual or social functioning
- entitled to or receiving one of the following benefits:
- Short-term or Long-term Incapacity Benefit (IB)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)
- The highest or middle-rate care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- An increase in Disablement Pension for constant attendance
- The disability element of Working Tax Credit
- Unemployability Supplement (abolished in 1987 but existing claimants remain entitled)
- Constant Attendance Allowance payable under the Industrial Injuries or War Pension schemes
- Income Support which includes a disability premium because of incapacity for work
How much discount will you get
The discount depends on your household. You'll get:
- 100% exemption if the person with SCI lives alone
- 25% discount if the person with SCI lives with one other adult - the person with SMI is disregarded, so the other adult qualifies for single person discount
- up to 50% discount if person with SCI lives with a carer (who meets criteria) - carer may also be disregarded; discount depends on total number of adults
- 100% exemption if two adults with SCI live together - both adults are disregarded; property is exempt
- no discount if the person with SCI lives with two or more other adults - Council Tax is charged in full unless other disregards apply
How to apply
To apply, submit an online application form for consideration.
You'll need your Council Tax account number to complete this form. Find this at the top-right of your Council Tax bill, it is 9-digits long and starts with a 6.
We will ask for details about the person with SCI and their household, along with evidence of a qualifying benefit.
If a discount or exemption is approved in principle, we will then write to their GP for confirmation.
The total time for consideration of an application can be more than four weeks, depending on the speed of the GP's response or whether further information is required.
Apply for severe cognitive impairment Council Tax discount or exemption
