Council tax discounts - care workers and unpaid carers

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 on behalf of either a local authority or charitable body, or employed by an individual to provide care and support services after being introduced through a local authority or charitable body.
• Employed to provide care for at least 24 hours a week.
• Paid no more than £44 per week.
• Living in a property provided either by the local authority or charitable body they are engaged by, or the person they provide care to.

Who is an unpaid carer?

A person is considered an unpaid carer for the purposes of council tax if they are.

• 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:

• An attendance allowance or,
• The highest or middle rate of the care component of disability living allowance or,
• An increase in the rate of disablement pension due to the need for constant attendance or,
• An increase in 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 and unpaid carers 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 or unpaid carer, the bill will be worked out as if only 1 adult lives there. This would reduce the bill by 25%.

If the only person living in the property is a care worker or unpaid carer, the bill will be reduced by 50%.

Documents needed

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

• Proof of employment and copy of your payslip

Before applying for unpaid carer 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:
  • The middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment at any rate
  • Attendance Allowance at any rate
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • The highest rate of Constant Attendance Allowance

Apply for a council tax discount - care workers and unpaid carers

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