Welfare: Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme

Some people with disabilities need extra space in their home and there is a special scheme under which the council tax bill for a property may be reduced if it has certain features required for the special needs of an adult or child living there.

How do I know if I am eligible?

To be eligible, you must be the person who is liable to pay the council tax for your home. It must be the sole or main residence of at least one person who has a substantial and permanent disability and must contain one of the following features:

•an additional bathroom or kitchen for the use of the person with the disability; or

•a room other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet which is used mainly by the person with the disability. For example, you might get a reduction if you have an extension or an extra room used for housing equipment or a wheelchair, or if you have a room on the ground floor in a property with two or more floors which is used as a bedroom specifically by the person with the disability; or

•extra space inside your home to allow for the use of a wheelchair which is necessary to help the person with the disability get around.

When considering whether a reduction should apply, your council will have to satisfy themselves that the features are essential or of major importance to the well-being of the person with the disability. To qualify for a reduction, an extra room need not be specially built – it could be an existing room used specifically to meet the special needs of the person with the disability.

By how much will the bill be reduced?

If your home is eligible, your bill will be reduced to that of a property in the valuation band immediately below the band in which your home is shown on the valuation list. For example, if your home is in band C, your bill will be reduced to that for a band B dwelling.

If your home is in band A, it will also be eligible for a reduction in the council tax bill. This will have the effect of a one-band reduction, had a lower band existed.

Is the Scheme means tested?

The Scheme is not means tested therefore your capital and income will not be taken into account.

How do I apply for a reduction?

You should contact your local council. The council will send an application form and may ask for other information to support the claim. For example, you may need to provide a letter from your doctor or someone like an occupational therapist or social worker, saying that the person withthe disability needs the extra space or room because of it.

Where can I get further information on the Scheme?

Further information can be found on your local council’s website or at www.gov.scot