Council tax discounts for people in care and carers

Discounts for people in care

If your home is empty because you've moved out permanently to receive care, you can apply for a Council Tax exemption if you moved:

To a care home or hospital
To live with a carer due to old age, disability, illness, drug dependence or mental disorder

How to apply for Council Tax exemption

Complete the Receiving care exemption form (PDF document)
Email it back to us including any letters from the care home confirming the move is permanent. This will help us process the application quicker.

Discounts for carers

You may be able to get a Council Tax discount if you or someone in your household is a carer. To be considered a carer, you need to meet the following conditions:

You live in the same home as the person you care for
The person receiving the care is not your spouse, partner or child under the age of 18
You provide at least 35 hours a week of care to the person who is entitled to receive one of the following:
Any rate of Attendance Allowance
The middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
Any rate of the daily living activity component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
An increase in their Disablement Pension
An increase in Constant Attendance Allowance

You do not have to be in receipt of a Carer's Allowance to claim a discount.

How much discount you can get

If you fit the above criteria for a carer then you don't have to pay Council Tax. This is known as disregarded.

If, for example, there are two adults living at a properly, and one of them is carer, the bill is worked out as if only one adult is resident, and it is reduced by 25%.

If more than 2 people are not disregarded, no discount can be awarded.

How to apply for the carers discount

To apply complete the application form for Carers Discount (PDF document)

To qualify for the discount where the care is provided on behalf of an organisation, the below needs to apply to you:

Provide care on behalf of a Local Authority or charity, work at least 24 hours per week and get paid no more than £44 per week

If you were living alone and a carer has since moved in, please let us know and complete the above form.

If you left your home to provide care for someone and the property is left empty you may qualify for an exemption.

To apply email: ctax@wokingham.gov.uk

Hostels and night shelters

You may be able to get a discount if you're staying in a hostel. To apply:

Email ctax@wokingham.gov.uk