Use of a bedroom for a disability.

[Paul Walton]

I have a dependent child who lives with us, who has ADHD and receives DLA for this.

When he becomes heightened, we have a loft conversion that is his space where he can self-regulate and settle down somewhat.

I have been advised the LA will potentially give us a discount on council tax, providing someone living in the house has a 'severe mental illness'

- what does this mean, and how does the LA interpret this?

Is it up to a non-medically trained person at the LA, or is ADHD considered by law to be a 'severe mental illness' .

Given a consultant diagnoses it - they should know more than a LA admin person?

[dx100uk]

typically if you get DLA ( not gone over to PIP yet?)

thats all they need as proof, 

[Paul Walton]

Thank you for the prompt response. It's DLA, and he has been in receipt for about two years. I assume this can only be claimed from the date of the claim - not when DLA was awarded?

Is it a % discount or a reduction in banding?

[dx100uk]

nothing to do with banding no.

its a std discount.

are they aware he gets DLA? and his condition being noted as to why he gets it?

if not copy them the award letter and the 'because' statement. years since i've done DLA forget.

have you asked for the discount yet or are just getting your ducks inline?

i dont think you'll get it backdated if DLA now 2yrs down the road because you 'forget' you could get it...

 

[Paul Walton]

I'm just getting things lined up; I've found the LA to be less than helpful when it's about funding.

That's great. I will get on with it.

Many thanks,

Paul

[dx100uk]

i stand corrected having just talked with a local that knows.

you dont automatically get a reduction 'because' of DLA now.

and you indication of a banding change appear in there too if you/they are living in a home thats too small to cater for his needs.

hence your comment about the loft.

What PIP means for local authorities - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

this is for DLA too it appears

dx

 

[unclebulgaria67]

Yes not automatic. Each Council will have different criteria for their Council Tax reduction scheme.

[Paul Walton]

Many thanks , i will update you how I get on.

All the best,

Paul

[Bazooka Boo]

To claim SMI (severely mentally impaired) your LA will have a form that you need to give to your Dr, who will either agree or disagree, that your son is classed as SMI, they sign it, you then send it to your LA who will then apply whatever discount that particular LA has.

It can be 100%, 75% whatever, and yes they will backdate it, I was refunded just over 6K when I applied for the SMI disregard.

[Paul Walton]

That is encouraging. We have social workers, doctors, teachers, and consultants, including the DLA, who seem to agree on the diagnosis.

 

[Paul Walton]

I have a foster child with a disability ( autism), and at times, when he is heightened, the best way for him to regulate himself is to have some space and his electronic drum kit.

Fortunately, we have a pretty big house and have converted the attic for this purpose.

The LA have inspected today, and I don't foresee a problem with them granting me a lower council tax band.

Assuming this happens, am I entitled to have this backdated from when he arrived

- two years ago, or will I only be able to claim the discount from the time I applied?

I hope this is clear.

Thanks - Paul

 

[dx100uk]

threads merged.

you filled out a form or the online version?

what date did you put as to when they 1st started using the room?

it will be that date.

[Paul Walton]

I did the online version; I can't remember what date I put on the form, to be honest.