Severely mentally impaired Council Tax reduction

You may get a reduction on your Council Tax if someone over 18 years of age who lives with you is severely mentally impaired. A property is exempt from Council Tax when the only adult resident or all the adult residents are severely mentally impaired.

Do you qualify?

A person is considered to be severely mentally impaired if he or she has a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which appears to be permanent. This can include people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, strokes and similar illnesses.

The person must also qualify for one of these benefits even if they don't receive it, for example because they are pension age:

• 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 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

How to apply

You can apply online through the OPENPortal.

Register on the OPENPortal

To register, you will need the following information:

• your Council Tax reference number - found on your latest bill
• your full name as it appears on your Council Tax bill
• if you have applied for Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security.

Once you have registered and logged in, you will find the link to 'Apply or cancel disregard' on the right of the page, under 'Quick links'.

Sign in or register for the OPENPortal

How to contact us if you can't access the portal

More information

If you need any help to complete this form or need any further information, please contact the Council Tax team on 01483 523500 or email counciltax@waverley.gov.uk