Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme
In this article, we explain what Council Tax Band Reduction is, what you are entitled to, how to apply, offer some top tips, and provide a template letter for your application.
If your child is disabled, it is likely that you are eligible to apply for the Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme. This scheme aims to ensure that disabled people do not pay more Council Tax because they live in a larger property than they would have needed if they were not disabled.
Applying for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction could save you hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds. Our article aims to simplify this process by helping you understand what you may be entitled to, explaining the process step-by-step, and providing tools to assist you with your application.
In collaboration with Shevonne Waines, a parent carer who successfully claimed Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction, WellChild have produced a comprehensive template letter which provides you with clear wording that you can use when applying for Council Tax Reduction. We have included examples you could give for various conditions. All you need to do is adapt the letter according to your child’s needs and your family’s situation.
Look out for our quote bubbles throughout the article where Shevonne shares her personal experiences of applying for the reduction.
We had a BIG win, £3K to be exact! This is absolutely worth doing and I hope to help many more families achieve this by creating this guide with WellChild.
My son Henry was born with life-changing medical conditions affecting his heart, arteries, airways, lungs, bowel and adrenal system. He spent his first 15 months in hospital, mainly in London, far from our home. We were lucky enough to bring him home in January 2019.
Henry came home with extensive complex medical needs. He required 24 hours care as he was dependent on a ventilator to breath delivered via a tracheostomy. He was fed through a gastrostomy (PEG), had a IV accessible central line in the community and required steroid replacement therapy, requiring us to carry IM injections.
He needed multiple medications at several points throughout the day and night, as well as his milk feeds during the day and night. Henry required oxygen at home, was developing age appropriately and was fully mobile, toddling around the kitchen at speed! The challenge was keeping up with him so he stayed connected to his ventilator!
Henry is now 7 and thankfully has improved somewhat therefore no longer has a central line, gastrostomy or need for steroids or an IM injection. However he continues to need essential medical resources for his breathing condition.
How much?
Your bill may be reduced to the next lowest Council Tax band. For example, if your property is in Band D, you’ll pay the Band C rate. If your home is already in the lowest band (Band A), you’ll get a 17% discount on your Council Tax bill instead.
The exact amount of relief will depend on the difference between your current council tax band and the next lower band. Since Council Tax rates differ between local councils, the savings can vary significantly based on where you live.
Who can claim?
To qualify for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme, a person must be considered substantially and permanently disabled. This means that they have a significant disability that is not expected to improve over time. This can include:
- Physical disabilities
- Sensory impairments
- Mental disabilities
- Progressive conditions
The person may experience difficulties with mobility, everyday tasks, or self-care, requiring specific adaptations in the home to allow them to live as independently as possible.
As an Occupational Therapist (OT), I knew we were entitled to the disabled council tax reduction. But with an inadequate care package and the constant strain of managing Henry, his speed, and his heavy ventilator, I simply didn’t have the capacity. It was just one more thing on an already impossible list.
The Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction is available in all types of dwellings, including care homes and hostels.
You must show that you have either:
- An additional bathroom or kitchen required to meet the needs of the disabled person.
- A room (other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) required to meet the needs of the disabled person which is used predominantly by them. For example, a room used for treatment or the storage of equipment.
- Extra space inside the property to allow for wheelchair use (wheelchairs for outdoor use only are excluded from qualifying for the reduction).
These criteria are generally consistent across the UK, but local authorities may have slightly different interpretations, so it’s essential to consult your local council’s specific guidelines. You can find your local council here.
It is important to note that the disabled person can be an adult or a child
If you are told that Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction is not applicable for a child, you can quote the government website here, which states:
“The property must be the main home of at least 1 disabled person. This can be an adult or a child – it does not have to be the person responsible for paying the Council Tax.”
When I eventually applied in 2023, the local authority's Council Tax department initially told me, "No, it doesn't cover children." I thought they might say this, so I quoted their website to them. They replied, "Oh your right, it's maybe worth just applying to see then".
Examples of home adaptations that may justify a Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction
To help you understand if your home has any adaptations that may qualify for the band reduction scheme, here are some example of home modifications that may apply.
The key thing is to show that the modification is necessary.
- Wheelchair ramps or level access to entrances.
- Stairlifts or home elevators.
- Widened doorways to allow for wheelchair access.
- Accessible bathrooms with features such as grab bars, walk-in showers, or wet rooms.
- Lowered countertops or other kitchen modifications for wheelchair users.
- Additional space may be needed for caregivers or equipment essential for their care.
- Tactile or audio-based navigation aids for individuals with visual impairments.
- Specialized lighting systems or contrast markings to help the visually impaired navigate their home.
- Amplified doorbells or other alerting systems for individuals with hearing loss.
- Safety modifications, such as locked cabinets for medications or hazardous materials.
- Additional bedrooms or quiet rooms designed for calming spaces.
- Structured living spaces with clear visual or sensory sues to help with navigation and routines.
- Soundproofing or extra living space to accommodate care needs.
Step by step guide for applying for the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme
The application process for Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction may vary depending on your local council. However, these are the general steps to follow.
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Council tax rates can vary significantly between local councils, so it is important to check with your specific local authority to determine what is available and how to apply. Click here for the details on Council Tax discounts for your local council.
Review your local council’s eligibility criteria to ensure that you qualify. Most councils provide detailed information on their websites about eligibility criteria, application forms, what constitutes an adaptation, how to prove eligibility, and contact details for further assistance..
While there is no formal deadline for applying, you should apply as soon as possible to maximize your savings.
Some local councils offer online calculators that allow you to estimate your potential savings from disabled relief and other applicable discounts.
If you THINK that your child may be eligible for Disabled Band Reduction then it is worth applying!
It’s always worth a try, but if you are going to try, take your time to get the right evidence together, such as medical documents or assessments to strengthen your argument.
It can take a lot of energy to apply, but you can save a significant amount of money, so IF you are going to apply, commit to applying really well with the right evidence so that they can’t say no.
I asked a social worker and nurse in the community if they knew whether we would qualify and they said "No. Henry isn't in a wheelchair." I knew there was more to it than that. My inner OT was screaming, I know we do, look around. Boxes of ventilation tubing, water for inhalation, tracheostomy supplies and medications were towering around us.
Step 2: Contact Your Local Council
Once you have reviewed the criteria, you can contact your local council’s revenue or Council Tax department to request an application form. This can typically be done online or via post.
In England and Wales each council/authority has a different scheme. For details of the one in your area, contact your own council here.
Step 3: Complete Application Form
Fill out the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme application form. The form will typically ask for information such as:
- The name and contact details of the disabled person.
- Details of the adaptations made to the property, including what changes were made, when, and why.
- Information about the disabled person’s condition, including whether they use a wheelchair, require additional rooms, or have any specific needs related to the adaptations.
- An inspection of the property by a council representative may be necessary.
Some councils may process applications online, while others require physical submissions. If you can submit your application online then you may be able to attach evidence immediately. See Step 4 below about attaching evidence.
If you are submitting your application via a physical submission then you may not be able to attach evidence in the first instance. However, if you do have the option to attach evidence, then submit as much as possible.
If the application is one page, make reference to what evidence you have to show them so it’s recorded on the application form. This ensures they should act on the information.
For example, “My child has oxygen requiring 2 large cylinders, 3 ambulatory cylinders, and a concentrator for long-term use to prevent hospital admission”. That alone tells them your child has high medical needs and you are preventing costly hospital admissions.
Invite them to visit in the application form (this may be a requirement in some Local Authorities). This adds legitimacy to your application that you are opening your doors for them to see you meet the criteria. You don’t want to waste your time any more than they want to waste theirs, so they will look at the application seriously.
Finally, the paper form arrived—yes, paper, and only single-sided. It was nowhere near enough space, but I did my best. I wrote in tiny letters, including every key detail: life-saving equipment, ventilators, oxygen, and that our home is effectively an HDU. I explained the medical stock we have to store, Henry’s 2:1 staffing needs, and the financial strain we face as parents of a disabled child. I invited them to visit — I had nothing to hide, but so much to show.
Template letter for your application!
From her first hand experience of applying for Disabled Council Tax Band Reduction, Shevonne has helped us to craft a template letter for your application.
If you are able to submit your application via email or the paper form is long enough, use the points in the letter to present a strong case to your local council about why the reduction is necessary.
If, like Shevonne, you are only give a single sided paper form, use the strategy in the yellow top tip box above to reference what you have to show them. Hopefully, they will send you an email following this and then you can submit your case in detail, without limited space. You can use our template letter to help you do this. Make sure to also attach as much evidence as possible to the form.
Click on the yellow box below to download the template letter.
Click here to download the template letter.
Please note that this is a general template letter designed to assist you in applying for Council Tax Disability Band Reduction. You can modify any wording and expand on any sections as needed, the more detail, the better. Some sections may not apply to your child. Please make sure you only include the areas relevant to your child and family.
A few weeks later I got a reply by email and was asked to answer some key points. I was so grateful for the email contact as it gave me the opportunity to send all the evidence I had. This meant that they couldn't argue with my rationale for the Council Tax reduction request. You know what? It worked!
Step 4: Attach Evidence
You should provide supporting documents that demonstrate the disability and the need for property adaptations. This documentation could include:
- A letter from a doctor, consultant, or healthcare provider detailing the nature of the disability and confirming that the adaptations are necessary for the disabled person’s wellbeing.
- Documents from a medical or social care professional involved in your child care team.
- Discharge summaries with details of admission reason and plan on discharge.
- Consultant review letters.
- Educational Health Care Plan.
- Repeat medication prescription.
- Home Oxygen Order Form (HOOF) or oxygen prescription.
- Physiotherapy treatment plan (may include standing hoist, walking frame treatment plan for home).
- Occupational therapy assessment -intervention plan / equipment prescription (may include wheelchair prescription, tilt in space shower chair, moving and handling plan detailing hoist prescription, adjustable bed, plans for DFG and adaptations etc).
- Social care assessment for care.
- Continuing health care review or assessment.
- It your child has a congenital condition then the original discharge summary if they spent a lot of their early years in hospital, would be relevant.
- Any document from a professional that details the additional items that are required for the child at home gives your argument for a council tax reduction strength.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a ‘patient summary’ from your GP to evidence all diagnosed medical conditions. Additionally, request a letter from your community nurses detailing your consumables and equipment delivery.
The evidence from professionals is what holds the most weight!
Photographs can speak volumes to support why you are asking for Council Tax Band Reduction.
You could include photos of:
- Your supply cupboards.
- Storage of incontinence pads.
- Feeding sets.
- Milk supply.
- Ventilation components.
- Photographs or receipts to prove that specific changes were made to the property, such as the installation of a stairlift or an accessible bathroom. (See above a list of adaptations that may qualify).
Take photos of your stock arriving and submit those as evidence to strengthen your argument for needing additional space.
You can also lay out all the equipment your child or young person needs to show all that is required for one day or night, (like this photo below):
Evidence is best to be within 10 years of age, but most recent is best.
Providing proof of disability benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can also strengthen your application.
Evidence is best to be within 10 years of age, but again most recent is best. It your child has a congenital condition then the original discharge summary if they spent a lot of their early years in hospital, would be relevant. If you can evidence the start of the disability and the date you came home the council may also back date the council tax reduction.
Submit as much evidence and attach all relevant evidence to your application form or email. This evidence can effectively demonstrate the severity of your child’s condition and the necessity for adaptations that qualify you for the Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction.
Step 5: Await Decision
After submitting your application and supporting documents, your local council will review the information. In some cases, the council may send an inspector to visit the property and verify the adaptations. This inspection is usually straightforward, with the purpose of confirming that the property has been adapted in line with the eligibility criteria.
Once the council has reviewed the application and conducted any necessary inspections, you will be notified of the decision. If your application is successful, your Council Tax bill will be reissued with the reduction applied.
The great news is our local authority saw the need as I had painted the picture thoroughly for them. They reduced us by one council tax band and back dated the band reduction to the date Henry came home from hospital in 2019. It was a BIG win!!! £3k to be exact!
Appealing a decision
If you disagree with the decision about your Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction application, you can ask your local authority to review it.
If you do not hear back within 2 months or disagree with the outcome of the review, contact the Valuation Tribunal about your claim. You must appeal within 4 months from the date you first contacted the council.
Get more information about the Valuation Tribunal here.
Getting your claim backdated
If you should have been given a disability reduction in the past, but were not, it may be backdated. You may need to demonstrate that the property has been adapted for some time.
Most councils allow applications to be backdated if you can demonstrate eligibility in prior years, however this depends on your local council’s policies.
If your council refuses to backdate your application, you can follow the appeal process detailed above.
It is worth applying retrospectively! Even if your child is older now so you think that it is too late, you may still be given the reduction and could save a lot of money!
If you can, make sure that you evidence the start of the disability and the date you came home. This makes it more likely that the council may also back date the reduction.
Our claim was backdated to 2019 (when Henry first came home from hospital). Unfortunately we weren't given it as a lump sum, but we did stop paying council tax for 2 years, which equates to us saving £3k over that period. So if any of you are thinking about applying, stop thinking and do it!!
Additional reductions to council tax
In addition to applying for the Council Tax Disability Band Reduction scheme, it is worth exploring other discounts and benefits that may apply to your household. These can include:
Council Tax Reduction (CTR)
You could be eligible for Council Tax Reduction if you’re on low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%. Get more information about Council Tax Reduction in your local authority here.
Single Person Discount
If only one adult lives in the household, you may be eligible for a 25% discount, which can be combined with the disabled relief.
You may be able to get a single person discount even if other adults live in your home if the other adults are counted as ‘disregarded’. You’re disregarded if you’re:
- Under 18 years old.
- On certain apprentice schemes.
- 18 or 19 years old and in full-time education.
- A full-time student at college or university.
- Under 25 years old and get funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
- A student nurse.
- A foreign language assistant registered with the British Council.
- Severely mentally impaired.
- A live-in carer for someone who is not your partner, spouse, or child under 18.
- A diplomat.
To receive the Single Person Discount you should contact your council to tell them that you are the only adult in your home. This discount is not applied automatically. Find your local council here.
Carer Discounts
If you’re a carer, you won’t be counted for Council Tax purposes if all the following apply:
- You provide at least 35 hours of care a week.
- You live with the person you care for.
- You’re not the spouse or partner of the person you care for, or their parent if they’re under 18.
- The person you care for receives certain disability benefits.
If, after taking into account people who aren’t counted, only one person is eligible for Council Tax, there may be a 25% discount on the bill. If no one is eligible for Council Tax, there may be a 50% reduction. Contact your local council directly to apply for a discount.
Differences in each of the nations
England
In England, the scheme is fairly uniform across local councils, with most offering the one-band reduction if a property meets the eligibility criteria. However, individual councils may have different policies when it comes to reviewing applications, conducting inspections, or backdating the relief. Check your local council website for more information.
Wales
In Wales, the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme follows mainly the same rules as in England and is still administered by local councils. However, some Welsh councils have their own local discretionary funds for council tax. These funds may fall under different names, such as the Resident Support Scheme or Hardship Fund. Contact your local council tax department to find out more.
Scotland
In Scotland, you still need to apply to your local authority for Disability Council Tax Reduction and the process is the same as in England.
However, if you get council tax reduction, you could also get up to 35% off water and waste charges. This is called the Water Charges Reduction Scheme.
You do not need to apply for the Water Charges Reduction Scheme. If you qualify, your local council will automatically apply the reduction.
Northern Ireland
Unlike the rest of the UK, Northern Ireland does not use the council tax system. Instead, it operates a domestic rates system.
However, disabled residents in Northern Ireland can apply for a Disabled Person’s Allowance, which functions similarly to the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme. This allowance enables ratepayers to get a 25% discount in their rates.
You can apply by sending a Disabled Person’s Allowance application form to Land & Property Services. You can ask them for a form by calling 0300 200 7801 or emailing [email protected].
Put the effort in the right place. It could save you a considerable amount of money. There is no time like the present. Get the supporting documents and write your case to them. You could even use WellChild's fantastic letter template to help you. Give it a go!
If this article helps you successfully claim Council Tax Band Reduction, please contact us at [email protected] to let us know! In addition to wanting to hear about and celebrate your successes, monitoring the impact of our work enables us to get more funding and help more families.
Shevonne Waines, Parent of WellChild
Rachel Carluke, Family Information Officer
First published: April 2025
Next review due: April 2026
