Consumer champion Martin Lewis has issued a stark warning that millions of unpaid carers across England and Wales could be missing out on hundreds of pounds due to incorrect and outdated information on council websites.
Investigation Uncovers Widespread Failures
An investigation by MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE), the consumer website founded by Lewis, has revealed that 69 councils – around one in five – provided inaccurate or obsolete information online regarding the live-in carer council tax discount. This crucial discount can reduce a household's council tax bill by 25% or 50%, which typically translates to savings of £500 or £1,000 per year.
The probe further found that an additional 80 local authorities failed to list the qualifying benefits required to be eligible for the reduction. This lack of clear guidance acts as a significant deterrent, likely preventing many of the UK's estimated five million unpaid carers from applying for the financial support they are legally entitled to.
Rules Changed in 2013, But Guidance Didn't
Martin Lewis pinpointed the likely root of the problem, explaining that the rules for carers were updated in 2013, yet many councils have simply not refreshed their online advice since. "Unpaid carers can’t trust councils’ information about Carers’ Council Tax discounts," Lewis stated bluntly.
He urged anyone who previously checked and thought they were ineligible to verify their status again, directing people to use the help pages provided by the charity Carers UK. For those who have missed out due to the poor information, Lewis advised requesting a backdated discount to the point of first eligibility, while cautioning that different councils have varying rules on backdating.
The situation is compounded because the official Gov.uk pages on council tax also omit the necessary details about qualifying benefits, a failing Lewis said he has highlighted.
The Staggering Value of Unpaid Care
Lewis paid tribute to the "army" of carers, stating: "Thirty-five hours a week of unpaid caring is no small feat. This army of up to five million carers provides a silent and often un-thanked backbone that takes a burden off the NHS and care system – reducing the cost to the state."
To qualify for the discount, a person must provide at least 35 hours of free care per week to someone in their household who is not their spouse, partner, or a child under 18. The person receiving care must also be in receipt of specific qualifying benefits. These include Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, and – crucially since the 2013 rule change – the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, echoed the concerns, noting that unpaid carers contribute an estimated £184 billion to the UK economy annually, yet face severe financial strain. "It’s simply unacceptable that carers are presented with the wrong information when they are so urgently in need of help," she said.
The Independent has contacted the Local Government Association for comment.
