Council tax discounts - care workers

Who is a care worker?

A person is considered a care worker for the purposes of council tax if they are:

• Engaged to provide care and support to a person
• Living in the same home as the person they are caring for
• Providing care for at least 35 hours per week
• Is not a disqualified relative i.e. they are not the spouse or partner of the person they are caring for, neither are they a parent caring for a child under 18 years old.

The person being cared for must also be receiving one of the following benefits:

• Higher attendance allowance
• The highest or middle rate of the care component of disability living allowance
• An increase in the rate of disablement pension
• A constant attendance allowance
• The standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of personal independence payment under the Welfare Reform Act 2012 s78(3)
• Armed forces independence payment under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces [Compensation Scheme] Order 2011

How much discount can you get?

Your full council tax bill is based on at least two adults (people over 18) living in a property.

Care workers do not count towards the number of adults considered to be living in a property.

This means if 2 adults live in a property and 1 of them is a care worker, the bill will be worked out as if only 1 adult lives there. This would reduce the bill by 25%.

If we count nobody as living in your property as everyone is disregarded, we can reduce the bill by 50%.

Documents needed

Before applying for a care worker discount, you will need the following documents:

• A copy of the benefit award letter showing the person being cared for receives one of the following qualifying benefits:
  • Higher attendance allowance
  • The middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • Increase in the rate of disablement pension
  • Constant attendance allowance
  • The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment at any rate
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

Apply for a council tax discount - care workers

Please note, if you are eligible for a council tax discount or exemption, you will be asked to complete a review form every year. If you do not complete the review form, you will have to pay your council tax in full.

If your circumstances change and you are no longer eligible for a reduction, please let us know as soon as possible. If you don’t, you may receive a penalty charge. Email revenues@torfaen.gov.uk