Who is an unpaid carer?
For council tax purposes, an unpaid carer is someone who provides care without being paid.
You may be classed as an unpaid carer if you:
- Live in the same home as the person you care for
- Provide care for at least 35 hours a week
- Are not married to, or in a relationship with, the person you care for
- Are not a parent caring for a child under 18
You do not need to claim Carer’s Allowance to get this discount.
Your income or savings do not affect whether you can qualify.
If more than one unpaid carer lives in the property, you can still get up to 25% off the council tax bill, as long as all eligibility criteria are met and each carer completes an application form.
Before you begin, please have these ready:
You’ll need to show proof that the person you care for gets one of the benefits listed below:
- 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
- An increased rate in disablement pension
