Full-Time Carer but No Council Tax Reduction
Summary
Thousands of live-in carers are overpaying council tax because they do not know they qualify for the carer disregard. Under SI 1992/548 Article 3, a person providing at least 35 hours of care per week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit is disregarded for council tax purposes. This means the cared-for person should receive the 25% single person discount — or, if they also have SMI, the property may qualify for a 50% discount or full exemption. The billing authority will not apply this automatically; you must claim it.
Who Qualifies for the Carer Disregard
You qualify if: (a) you live in the same dwelling as the person you care for; (b) you provide care for at least 35 hours per week on average; (c) the care recipient receives DLA care component (middle or higher rate), PIP daily living component, attendance allowance, or equivalent; and (d) you are not the spouse, civil partner, or (if under 18) parent of the care recipient. The most common qualifying scenario is an adult child who moves in with an elderly parent to provide care.
You Do Not Need to Be Receiving Carer's Allowance
The council tax carer disregard is completely separate from Carer's Allowance. You do not need to be claiming or receiving Carer's Allowance to qualify. Many carers who cannot claim Carer's Allowance (because they earn too much, or because the 'overlapping benefit' rules prevent it) still qualify for the council tax disregard. The only benefit that matters is the one received by the care recipient.
Evidence to Submit
Provide all of the following to the billing authority:
- DWP award letter for the care recipient showing receipt of DLA (middle/higher care), PIP (daily living), or attendance allowance
- A statement confirming you provide at least 35 hours of care per week — a care diary or log strengthens this
- Proof of your residence at the property: electoral roll entry, utility bill, or tenancy agreement
- Confirmation that you are not the care recipient's spouse, civil partner, or parent (if you are under 18)
Backdating Your Claim
Request the disregard from the date all conditions were first met — not just the date you apply. If you have been caring for a parent for two years and they have been receiving attendance allowance throughout, the disregard should be applied retrospectively for the full two years. The council must refund any overpaid council tax.
Sources
- Council Tax (Discount Disregards) Order 1992, SI 1992/548, Article 3
- Local Government Finance Act 1992, s.11
Frequently Asked Questions
- I care for my spouse — do I qualify?
- No. Article 3 of SI 1992/548 explicitly excludes spouses and civil partners. The disregard is designed for non-partner carers such as adult children, siblings, or friends who move in to provide care.
- The care recipient does not receive any disability benefits — can I still get the disregard?
- No. Receipt of a qualifying benefit by the care recipient is a mandatory condition. If the care recipient has not yet applied for PIP, DLA, or attendance allowance, help them apply first. Once awarded, backdate the council tax claim.
- My council has never heard of the carer disregard — how do I prove it exists?
- Cite the Council Tax (Discount Disregards) Order 1992 (SI 1992/548), Article 3. The legislation is publicly available on legislation.gov.uk. If the council's own staff are unfamiliar with it, escalate to a senior council tax officer or submit a formal dispute under LGFA 1992 s.16.
Related
- carer-council-tax-discount
- carer-disregard
- severe-mental-impairment-exemption
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