If someone in your home has a severe mental impairment (SMI)
You can get a reduction in your council tax if you, or someone aged 18 or over who lives with you, is 'severely mentally impaired' and not counted for council tax purposes.
Their mental impairment must be confirmed by a doctor or other health professional.
People who have been diagnosed as suffering with severe and enduring mental health issues such as Alzheimer's disease, other forms of dementia and strokes, are included.
The person must also qualify for one of these benefits even if they don't receive it:
- 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
- The ‘limited capability for work’ or ‘the limited capability for work related elements’ of Universal Credit
If there are two or more people in the household who are counted for council tax, one person in the household with a severe mental impairment may not lead to a reduction in Council Tax. If you are not sure, apply anyway and we can check for you.
You must provide proof of both the medical condition and the qualifying benefit.
If more than one person living at the property has a severe mental impairment, each person must complete their own application form and provide their own doctor's certificate and proof of qualifying benefit.
To provide proof:
- Download and print a copy of the Severe Mental Impairment Certificate. Ring us on 0161 234 5002 if you can't print it.
- Ask a health professional - your doctor or other member of the practice - to fill it in, sign it and stamp it.
- Get ready a copy of the award letter from the Department for Work and Pensions showing the start date of entitlement to the qualifying benefit.
- Click below to see how to send them to us.