There are four different ways in which you could reduce your Council Tax bill. Although the four ways are not specifically for blind and partially sighted people, one or all of them may apply to you.
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Your local Council Tax support scheme.
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The disability reduction scheme.
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Single person's discount.
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Second adult rebate.
1. Council Tax support
The aim of all Council Tax support schemes is to help people on low incomes with their Council Tax bill. Council Tax support replaced Council Tax Benefit in April 2013 and your local authority administers it.
Each local authority designs its own Council Tax support scheme, so the qualifying rules and how much of a reduction you might be entitled to varies. Your household income and how many people you have living with you will affect how much support you get though. To find out more, contact your local authority.
Non-dependants
You may get less support with your Council Tax bill if you have a "non-dependant" living with you. A non-dependant is someone who lives in your home, but is not your partner and not a joint owner or tenant. For example, if you have a grown up son or daughter living with you then your local authority may reduce your Council Tax support because they expect your son or daughter to contribute something towards your Council Tax bill. However, your local authority should not reduce your support because of a non-dependant if you are registered blind, or if you receive Attendance Allowance or the care component of Disability Living Allowance.
How to claim Council Tax support
Contact your local authority to make a claim for Council Tax support.
You can also contact your local Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 to get help with claiming Council Tax support if you make a claim for any of these benefits:
If you claim Pension Credit over the phone you can claim Council Tax support without completing any additional forms. Call The Pensions Service on 0800 99 1234.
2. Disability Reduction Scheme
Your local authority can reduce your Council Tax bill if you, or anyone else living in your home, is "substantially and permanently disabled" and needs adaptations or extra space in your home because of this.
To qualify, your home must contain one of the following:
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a room other than a bathroom, kitchen or lavatory used predominantly to meet the needs of a disabled person
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an additional kitchen or bathroom for the use of a disabled person
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extra space inside your property so that a wheelchair can be used.
Your local authority must also be satisfied that the room or adaptation is essential or of major importance to your wellbeing because of the nature and extent of your disability.
For example, some blind or partially sighted people need an extra room to store bulky equipment such as a CCTV, braille equipment or an exercise bicycle. Or you may have had an extra bathroom put in because of mobility problems.
If you qualify for a disability reduction, your local authority will reduce your bill to the band below the valuation band of your home. If your home is valued at band A (which is the lowest band) you will be eligible for a reduction of a sixth off your bill.
Local authorities have some flexibility when considering reductions for people with disabilities, but we recommend that you make a claim if you think you are entitled.
3. Single person's discount
If you live on your own, you should automatically receive a single person's discount of 25 per cent off your Council Tax bill. You can also get a 25 per cent reduction if the person you live with is exempt from paying Council Tax. Exempted groups include:
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people with severe mental impairments
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some types of carers (but not if the carer cares for their partner)
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anyone under 18
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and full-time students.
Contact your local authority if you think you should receive a single person's discount and have not received one.
4. Second Adult Rebate
You may be able to reduce your bill further under a scheme called the Second Adult Rebate if you live with someone who receives:
You could also claim the Second Adult Rebate if you live with someone who is on a low income.
The Second Adult Rebate could reduce your Council Tax bill by up to a quarter. Call your local authority for more information.
Further information
If you need further information about Council Tax or about other benefits available to people with serious sight problems call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 to speak to one of our advisers or email helpline@rnib.org.uk
Please note that we can only give advice about benefits for people with sight loss and their carers or dependants.
Our factsheet also contains a summary of the information given on this page: