Millions of unpaid carers across England and Wales could be missing out on council tax discounts worth hundreds of pounds each year due to incorrect information published by local authorities.
An investigation by MoneySavingExpert.com found that dozens of councils are displaying inaccurate or incomplete guidance about the live-in Carer Council Tax discount on their websites.
The consumer finance website reviewed information published by more than 200 local authorities responsible for council tax billing.
It found that at least 69 councils were providing incorrect details about who qualifies for the discount.
In addition, a further 80 councils failed to make clear which benefits entitle someone to claim the reduction.
MoneySavingExpert said the errors mean many carers could wrongly believe they are not eligible.
The findings suggest a significant number of the UK’s estimated five million unpaid carers may be missing out on support they are legally entitled to receive.
The live-in Carer Council Tax discount can reduce a household’s council tax bill by 25 per cent or 50 per cent, with a typical 25 per cent reduction estimated to save around £500 a year.
One in five councils checked were listing incomplete eligibility criteria which made the discount appear more restrictive than it is under current rules.
Martin Lewis issues council tax guidance warning
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The most common issue was councils failing to list all qualifying disability benefits, which were likely to deter eligible carers from applying for the discount.
Discount eligibility includes parents caring for adult children, adult children caring for elderly parents, and siblings caring for one another.
To qualify, a person must provide at least 35 hours of unpaid care each week, which must be provided to someone living in the same household.
The person receiving care must not be the carer’s spouse, partner or a child under 18, and receiving certain disability-related benefits.
According to MoneySavingExpert, the problems stem from rule changes introduced in 2013.
A number of benefits qualify for the discount
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Those reforms expanded the list of benefits that qualify someone for the discount.
Before 2013, eligibility was limited to higher rates of Attendance Allowance and the Disability Living Allowance care component.
Increased Constant Attendance Allowance and Disablement Pension also qualified under the old rules.
The 2013 changes added lower rate Attendance Allowance and included a middle rate Disability Living Allowance care component.
Both the standard and enhanced Personal Independence Payment daily living component were added.
Armed Forces Independence Payment also became a qualifying benefit, but many councils still only list the older, higher-rate benefits.
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, criticised the situation.
He said: “Unpaid carers cannot trust councils’ information about Carers’ Council Tax discounts.
“All carers who thought they were not eligible after checking councils’ websites should check again and ask for a backdated discount to the point of first eligibility, though different councils have different rules.”
Mr Lewis said unpaid carers make a substantial contribution to society.
“Thirty-five hours a week of unpaid caring is no small feat and carers provide a backbone that takes pressure off the NHS and care system,” he added.
Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, said the findings were concerning.
Seven London boroughs were identified among the councils publishing inaccurate information
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LONDON ASSEMBLYShe said: “Unpaid carers provide support worth £184billion to the UK economy each year, but this comes at a significant personal and financial cost.”
Nearly half of unpaid carers had cut back on essentials in the past year, with around one third relying on loans, credit cards or overdrafts to cope financially.
Six in ten carers reported feeling anxious or stressed about money.
“It is unacceptable that carers are being presented with incorrect information when they urgently need support.
“This discount could make a real difference to families struggling to make ends meet.”
Carers UK offers further information on this issue on their website.
Councils getting it wrong on live-in Carer Council Tax discount
East Midlands
- Bolsover
- Derby
- Harborough
- High Peak
- Hinckley and Bosworth
- North West Leicestershire
- Rushcliffe
- South Derbyshire
- South Kesteven
- West Lindsey
East of England
- Braintree
- Broxbourne
- Huntingdonshire
- North Hertfordshire
- North Norfolk
- Stevenage
- Uttlesford
London
- Barnet
- Bromley
- Camden
- Haringey
- Hounslow
- Merton
- Waltham Forest
North East
North West
- Blackpool
- Burnley
- Fylde
- Pendle
- Rossendale
South East
- Adur
- Brighton and Hove
- Cherwell
- Chichester
- East Hampshire
- Fareham
- Gravesham
- Hart
- Runnymede
- Rushmoor
- Slough
- South Oxfordshire
- Spelthorne
- Swale
- Tandridge
- Tunbridge Wells
- Vale of White Horse
- Wealden
- West Berkshire
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Worthing
South West
- Cheltenham
- Gloucester
- North Somerset
- Plymouth
- Swindon
West Midlands
- Lichfield
- Sandwell
- Staffordshire Moorlands
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Wyre Forest
Yorkshire and the Humber
- Calderdale
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
- Sheffield
- Wakefield
Wales
- Denbighshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
