Discount for carers

A full Council Tax bill is based on at least two adults living in a property. 
If you live with someone other than your partner or a child under 18 and you provide care for them, you may be eligible for a Council Tax discount. 

More information about who counts as an adult for Council Tax.

Applying for a Carer Disregard 

To apply for a Council Tax carer disregard,  e-mail council.tax@colchester.gov.uk 

you will need: 

• your Council Tax account number 
• your name, address and contact details 
• the name and address of the person receiving care 

You cannot apply for a carer disregard if you are: 

• the partner of the person you care for 
• the parent of a child under 18 who is receiving care 

Who Counts as a Carer for Council Tax? 

Under Council Tax legislation, a person is regarded as a carer if they meet all of the following conditions: 

1. They provide care to someone who receives at least one of these benefits: 

• Attendance Allowance – higher or lower rate 
• Disability Living Allowance (care component) – highest or middle rate (now generally part of Personal Independence Payment) 
• Personal Independence Payment (daily living component) – standard or enhanced rate 
• An increase in a Constant Attendance Allowance 
• An increase in a Disablement Pension 
• The highest rate of Constant Attendance Allowance paid with fullrate Disablement Benefit for industrial injury 
• Armed Forces Independence Payment – any amount 

2. They live in the same property as the person they care for. 

3. They provide at least 35 hours of care per week on average. 

Discount for Care Workers 

You may be entitled to a Council Tax discount if you are a care worker. 

To be considered a care worker for Council Tax purposes, you must meet all of the following conditions: 

• You provide support or care to another person at the same address. 
• You are employed to provide that care, and you were introduced to the person by a charity or a local authority. 
• You earn no more than £44 per week. 
• You work at least 24 hours per week. 
• You live in the property where the care is provided, or in accommodation supplied for the better performance of your duties. 

How to Apply 

To apply for a Council Tax care worker disregard, email: council.tax@colchester.gov.uk