Apply for Council Tax discounts and exemptions

Anyone who is medically certified as being severely mentally impaired could get a a Council Tax exemption or discount. 

Conditions that can lead to severe mental impairment include Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, Parkinson's disease, severe learning difficulties or a stroke, but many others may apply. Having one of these conditions does not in itself mean that a person will be diagnosed as severely mentally impaired by a doctor.

How to qualify

The following discounts are available if anyone you normally live with is severely mentally impaired:

• 25% discount if the property has another adult resident
• 100% exemption if everyone in the property is severely mentally impaired

The severely mentally impaired person must meet the qualifying criteria for any of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Incapacity Benefit (any rate)
• Employment Support Allowance (income-related or contribution-based)
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Unemployment Supplement paid with a war pension or industrial injuries
• Constant Attendance Allowance paid with a war pension or industrial injuries
• Care Component of Disability Living Allowance at middle or high rate
• Daily Living Component of the Personal Independence Payment at standard or enhanced rate
• Attendance Allowance
• Income support with the Disability Premium on incapacity grounds
• Working Tax Credit that includes the Disability Element

If the person is over State Pension age then they must be entitled to one of these benefits if they were under State Pension age.

How to apply

Download a severely mentally impaired discount application form (DOCX, 67KB)

You can also call 030 33 33 3005 to apply.

After you apply

It can take up to 6 weeks to process an application, as long as you've given us all the information we need. Your account will be updated as soon as a decision is made.

If you do not qualify

Find out what you can do if you do not qualify.