Significant Cognitive Impairment
This was previously known as the Severely Mentally Impaired (SMI) person discount.
Overview
You might be able to apply for a discount on your Council Tax bill if you or someone you live with has a significant cognitive impairment.
A person is subject to a significant cognitive impairment if they have a severe and permanent mental condition or neurological change that impacts on the brain’s ability to function and has a significant impact on that individual’s daily life.
You'll need to:
- get written confirmation from a medical professional
- be eligible for one of the qualifying benefits
Qualifying benefits
The qualifying benefits are:
- Invalidity benefit
- Severe disablement allowance
- Unemployability Supplement
- Disability working allowance
- Higher or middle rate care component of a disability living allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance allowance
- Constant attendance allowance
- Incapacity benefit under Section 30A or Sections 40 and 41 of the Social Security (Contributions and Benefits) Act 1992
- Increased disablement pension for constant attendance
- Income support which includes a disability premium
- Universal Credit (in circumstances where a person has limited capability for work and/or work related activity)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
If you qualify as having a significant cognitive impairment
You’ll get a 100% discount if you qualify as having a significant cognitive impairment and one of the following applies:
- you live on your own
- any other adults in your household either qualify as having a significant cognitive impairment or are full-time students
If you live with someone who has a significant cognitive impairment
You’ll get a 25% discount if you live with someone who qualifies as having a significant cognitive impairment and either:
- there are no other adults in your household
- everyone else in your home is disregarded
Apply
For the discount to be granted, we will need:
- confirmation of the number of adults resident in the property
- the name and date of birth of the person who is believed to have a significant cognitive impairment
- details of any qualifying benefits that they receive. This can either be a copy of their payment book or an official letter and it must show the person's name, the type of benefit, the date it was awarded and the amount
- doctor's name and address
