Council Tax discount for Significant Cognitive Impairment (SCI)
You may be able to pay less Council Tax if you, or someone you live with, has a Significant Cognitive Impairment (SCI).
The law sets this discount. It follows Welsh Government guidance.
What is a Significant Cognitive Impairment?
A Significant Cognitive Impairment is a permanent condition. It must affect how a person functions day to day.
Examples of qualifying conditions
- dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- severe learning disabilities
- long-term effects of a major stroke
This is not a full list. Other conditions may also qualify.
Who can get the discount?
To qualify, both of the following must apply.
Medical confirmation
A medical professional must confirm the condition.
You must upload a completed Significant Cognitive Impairment (SCI) form.
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A GP or other registered medical practitioner must sign and date the form.
This confirmation must meet the Council Tax rules set out in the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Council Tax (Discounts, Disregards and Exemptions) (Wales) Regulations 2026.
A qualifying benefit
The person must receive, or be entitled to receive, at least one of these benefits:
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher care rate care component)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – standard or enhanced rate
- Incapacity Benefit
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Income Support with a Disability Premium
- Universal Credit (limited capability for work or work-related activity)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- an increase in Disablement Pension for constant attendance
- Unemployability supplement or allowance
- Working tax credit (with disability element or severe disability element)
If the person is over State Pension age, they may still qualify even if the benefit is not currently paid.
How the discount works
- A person with an SCI is not counted as an adult for Council Tax
- This may reduce the Council Tax bill
- In some cases, the property may be exempt
Each application is looked at based on who lives in the property.
Before you apply
Make sure you have:
- proof of a qualifying benefit
- medical confirmation of Significant Cognitive Impairment
You can give medical confirmation by:
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downloading and completing the Significant Cognitive Impairment (SCI) form.
A GP or medical practitioner must sign this form. You can upload it as part of your application.
If you do not have these yet, you will need to get them first.
