If you, or another adult that lives with you, have been diagnosed as having a Severe Mental Impairment (SMI), you may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax.
Severe Mental Impairment means conditions which result in a loss of intellectual and social functioning, which appears to be permanent, such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, but can include things like Parkinson’s Disease, severe learning difficulties or a stroke.
The condition must have been certified by a Register Medical Practitioner and you must be entitled to one of the disability benefits listed below.
- 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)
- Personal Independence Payment Daily Living Component at either standard or enhanced rate
- An increase in Disablement Pension for constant attendance
- The Disability Element or Severe 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
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Income Support which includes a disability premium because of incapacity for work
- An award of Universal Credit (which includes the limited capability for work element; or you are treated as having a limited capability for work)
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment (where this is still in payment for a person over the age of 18
If you live alone and meet the criteria, your property will be fully exempt from Council Tax.
If you live with one other adult, you will receive a 25% discount (unless that person is also disregarded for Council Tax purposes).
If you live with 2 other adults, then no discount can apply, unless the other adults are both disregarded for Council Tax
Applyfor a Council Tax discount due to Severe Mental Impairment (SMI)
If you already have applied for this discount and just need to get a doctor’s certificate completed, you can get the certificate form here:
Download SMI doctor's certificate