Council tax bills in England average £2,392 per year for a Band D property, but many households could reduce this by 25% or more without moving. Unpaid carers in England, Wales, or Scotland may not realise they qualify for a discount simply due to their caring duties.
Eligibility for Carer Discount
To qualify, carers must live with the person they care for and provide at least 35 hours of care per week. The person being cared for must claim certain disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Scottish Adult DLA, Child Disability Payment, Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, or Armed Forces Independence Payment. The cared-for person cannot be the carer's spouse, partner, or child under 18.
Carers do not need to be claiming Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment, and their income or savings do not affect eligibility. If criteria are met, the carer is 'disregarded' for council tax purposes.
How Much Can You Save?
If everyone in a property is disregarded, the bill reduces by 50%. If only one person is not disregarded, a 25% discount applies. Other disregarded individuals include those under 18, full-time students, student nurses, apprentices, and people with severe mental impairment.
A recent MoneySavingExpert (MSE) investigation found many council websites had incorrect qualifying criteria due to a 2013 rule change, potentially deterring up to five million carers. Carers unsure of eligibility should contact their local council.
