Did you know that if you are suffering from severe mental impairment, or if you know of someone who is suffering from severe mental impairment, and you or they are living alone, it is possible to claim a 100% exemption from the payment of council tax.
The procedure is very straightforward, although it may be that little is known of this exemption.
To be able to claim the exemption there is a requirement for a doctor to confirm that the ‘applicant’ is suffering from ‘severe mental impairment’ (as defined). As long as this medical opinion is obtained, however, and there is a specific form that a doctor is required to complete, a 100% discount can be claimed.
Simply make contact with the council tax department of your local authority and they should be able to forward to you all necessary forms for this important exemption to be claimed.
Also, from 2019 it will become possible for individuals suffering from mental health conditions and other ‘hidden disabilities’, including autism, to become eligible for blue badge parking permits. The exact date of the implementation of this change is currently unknown but more information will be released later this year. This will have a massive impact for those who will be eligible for the blue badge. It, of course, enables a blue badge holder to park free of charge in pay and display bays and for up to 3 hours on yellow lines.