People providing or receiving care in the home

Some carers, and some people receiving care, may be entitled to a range of different reductions depending on their circumstances.

In all cases, the care that is being given or received must be for:

• Old age
• Physical or mental disability
• Past or present alcohol dependency
• Past or present drug dependency
• Past or present mental illness.

Discount

If a carer lives in someone else's house and provides care, he or she will not be counted when adding up the number of adults who live in the property, as long as the carer is:

• An employee (see conditions)
• A friend or relative (see conditions).

If this means that only one person is counted, you will be entitled to a 25% discount from your Council Tax bill.

If no-one is counted because everyone resident is disregarded, you will be entitled to a 50% discount from your Council Tax bill.

Exemption

If you have left your own home to provide care for someone else you may be entitled to exemption from Council Tax for your former home (see conditions).

Your former home may still be exempt even if you have not moved into the home of the person for whom you are caring.

Fareham Borough Council will probably have to agree with another local council that your main residence has now changed.

If you are a carer whose former home is outside Fareham you will need to contact the local council concerned.

If you want to apply for a discount or exemption for a property in Fareham, email counciltax@fareham.gov.uk.

You must inform the Council if you are no longer entitled to a discount or exemption. We will take legal action against anyone who fraudulently claims a discount or exemption.

Conditions

In order to be disregarded (not counted) the person must fit either category described as a Care Worker or Carer in full.

Care worker

In order to be considered as a care worker the following criteria must be met:

1. The person must be providing care or support on behalf of a local authority or charitable body or

2. Employed by the person who is being cared for but has been introduced to that person through the            local authority or charity

3. Engaged or employed for at least 24 hours per week

4. Be in receipt of less than £44 per week 

5. Be resident in premises provided by their employer for the better performance of their duties – N.B. this      does not necessarily mean that they have to reside with the person they are caring for.

The provisions for care workers are specific and evidence must be provided as to whom the person is working for in addition to details of pay and hours worked. 

Carers

In order to be considered as a non-professional carer the following criteria must be met:

1. The person is providing care to a person who is in receipt of any of the following qualifying benefits:

• The Highest (or Middle Rate from 8th April 2013) of the Care Component of Disability Living Allowance under S72 of the Social security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992;
• The lower rate or higher of Attendance Allowance (from 8th April 2013)
• The standard or enhanced rate of Daily Living Component of the Personal Independence Payment as defined by the Personal Independence Payment (Supplementary Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2013
• An increase in the rate of disablement pension under S104 of the above act
• An increase in the constant attendance allowance under the above act.
• An armed forces independence payment

2. The person providing care must be resident within the same dwelling as the person being cared for.

3. The person must be providing care for at least 35 hours per week

4. The person must not be a disqualified relative namely a spouse/civil partner (married or unmarried) or          the parent of a child under 18 years

Whilst it is perhaps normal for a single carer to be present there is no limit on the number of carers that can be present and disregarded provided each meet the above criteria. There is no restriction on a carer also having additional employment, which may occur if parents etc are looking after adult children who require care.

If you believe that you or someone you know fulfils the criteria to be disregarded as a care worker or carer this discount can be backdated upon receipt of sufficient evidence. If this is the case, please contact the Council Tax Office.

For further information please contact the Council Tax office on Tel: 01329 824651, or e-mail counciltax@fareham.gov.uk.