Severe mental impairment

1. A person has a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which appears to be permanent and
2. The person obtains a certificate duly signed to the effect by a registered medical practitioner and
3. The person would be entitled to any of the below qualifying benefits.
    

To obtain a discount or exemption, the severely mentally impaired person must also be entitled to one of a number of specified state benefits.

People who are severely mentally impaired are disregarded (not counted) when you are adding up the number of adults in a property.

If this means that only one person is counted, you will be entitled to a 25% discount off your Council Tax bill.

If there are other disregarded residents who are not severely mentally impaired or students, and this means that no-one in the property is counted, you will be entitled to a 50% discount off your Council Tax bill.

If the only residents of the property are severely mentally impaired, you may be entitled to an exemption so that you do not have to pay any Council Tax. The exemption does not apply if there are any other residents who are not severely mentally impaired. The only exception to this is if the other disregarded residents are students.

If you want to apply for a discount or exemption, email: counciltax@fareham.gov.uk.

You must inform the Council if you are no longer entitled to a discount or exemption. We will take legal action against anyone who fraudulently claims a discount or exemption. 

Benefits which entitle a person who is severely mentally impaired to discounts or exemptions

• Incapacity Benefit
• Attendance Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance (middle or high care component)
• Disability Living Allowance
• Disablement Pension Increment (due to constant attendance needs)
• Personal Independence Payment (daily living rate)
• Unemployability Supplement or Allowance
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Income Support (which includes Disability Premium)

For further information please contact the Council Tax office on Tel: 01329 824651, or e-mail counciltax@fareham.gov.uk.