A carer is a person who is either a resident at the same address as the person they are providing care for, and
- providing care to a person who is entitled to receive a qualifying state benefit, and
- providing care for at least 35 hours a week on average, and
- providing care to a person who is not their husband, wife, common law husband or wife, partner or civil partner
Or they are in premises, which have been provided for them to care for someone, and
- employed by a public authority, a charitable organisation or the Crown, and
- employed for more than 24 hours a week, and
- earning no more than £44 a week.
A spouse or partner cannot be classed as a carer for council tax purposes.
Carers can be disregarded for council tax purposes if they fall into one of two groups. The first group of carers who are disregarded for council tax purposes must meet all the following criteria:
- Care for at least 35 hours a week
- Live in the same property as the person they care for
- Not be the partner of the person they care for
- Not be the parent of the person they care for, if the person cared for is aged under 18.
In addition, the person being cared for must be entitled to one of the following benefits:
- Attendance allowance (any rate)
- The highest or mid rate of the care compondent of Disability living allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of Personal independence payment (PIP) - enhanced or standard
- An increase in the rate of Disablement Pension
- An increase in Constant Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independent Payment
If you are the only two adults residing in the property, you may be entitled to a 50% reduction if the person being cared for is disregarded for having a severe mental impairment.
The second group of carers who are disregarded for council tax purposes must meet all the following criteria:
- Provide care or support on behalf of a local authority, government department or charity
- Provide care through an introduction by a charity, where the person being cared for is the carer's employer
- Employed to care for the person for at least 24 hours a week
- Paid no more than £44 per week
- Resident where the care is given.
Someone who falls into either of these carer groups is disregarded for council tax and they will pay a reduced bill.
If you are the only two adults residing in the property, you may be entitled to a 50% reduction if the person being cared for is disregarded for having a severe mental impairment.
Eligibility for a carers disregard is dependant on the amount of occupants residing in the property. If there is more than one person occupying a property who is not disregarded in anyway, we may not be able to award a carers disregard to your account.
If you think you should be disregarded as a carer, simply fill in our online form:
Care Residents
If you're living in a nursing home, a residential care home, a hostel or you're in hospital receiving long-term treatment you may be able to get a discount. This doesn't include temporary stays.
If you think you may be entitled to a council tax discount, please contact the Council Tax office by phone: 01474 337700 or by emailing council.tax@gravesham.gov.uk