Disabled band reduction - council tax

All applications must be made within twenty-one days of the change in circumstances.

People with disabilities whose homes have been adapted for their use may be entitled to a disabled band reduction. This means that their council tax will be calculated as if their property is one band lower than it would normally be.

 You may qualify for this if:-

A disabled person lives in the dwelling and the dwelling has certain features that are essential to the disabled person because of his/her disability

Where someone is already a band A, a lower band cannot be applied but there will be a reduction.

It must be the disabled person's sole or main residence

The person must be substantially and permanently disabled

The person can be an adult or child

The disabled person does not have to be the liable person

The property must have at least one of the following features:

• A room (not a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) which is predominantly used by the disabled person
  e.g. a downstairs bedroom, a room used to store therapy equipment, dialysis equipment, Braille machine or oxygen cylinders and where the use of the original room has changed to accommodate the disabled person.
• A second bathroom or kitchen which has been adapted to meet their needs (a sole bathroom or kitchen even if adapted would not qualify)
• Sufficient floor space to allow use of a wheelchair indoors

If the above applies please download an application form and return it to the Council Tax Office.

You will also need to supply a letter from the disabled persons GP, Social Worker or Physiotherapist, confirming how the adaptations or facilities provided to the property are essential or of major importance to the well being of the disabled person in relation to the disability. An inspection may also be made by our office to confirm the adaptation.

Please remember you will need to pay your current bill until any reduction or exemption is granted and you receive a revised bill.