If you are eligible for Housing Benefit and have a severe mental impairment, you may qualify for a 25% reduction in your council tax. This only applies however if it only leaves 1 person in the home.
The person deemed SMI must also qualify for at least one other benefit, such as Personal Independence Payment.
Who is eligible?
Both of these criteria must apply for someone deemed SMI to qualify:
- Medical certification that they are SMI.
- Eligible for one of the following benefits:
- Incapacity benefit
- Attendance allowance
- Severe disablement allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Increase in disablement pension
- Unemployability supplement
- Constant attendance allowance
- Income support
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Universal Credit
- Disability Working Allowance
You do not need to be receiving any of these benefits to claim the council tax reduction. You only need to be eligible for them.
How do I claim it?
You will need a medical certificate and a claim form from your local council (which you can find through www.GOV.uk). You may also need proof of your eligibility for benefits. Sometimes the council will ask for proof of receiving the benefit.
Can I claim back the money that I am owed?
Your council may or may not allow you to make a retrospective claim. If it does, you must:
Write to your local council explaining your request.
Prove that you met the criteria for the deduction in the past. This may involve medical certificates, proof of address for multiple homes and past bank statements or payslips.
Can I appeal a decision?
Yes. If your council rules against your claim to the SMI deduction, you can appeal to them through the council. If they disagree in their final response, you can appeal through the Valuation Tribunal Service within two months of this response. You can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service through this online form or by sending this form in the post. In Wales, you should contact the Valuation Tribunal for Wales. In Scotland, you must appeal to your local Valuation Appeal Community through your local council.
2.12