People who are severely mentally impaired

People in your household are not counted for council tax if:

• they have a severe mental impairment of intelligence and social functioning. This is understood to be permanent

The person must also have made a valid claim for one or more of the following state benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• The care component of a Disability Living Allowance. This must be payable at the middle or highest rate
• An increase in the rate of Disablement Pension, where constant attendance is needed
• Disability element of Working Tax Credit
• Unemployability Supplement
• Constant Attendance under a industrial injuries or war pension scheme
• Unemployability Allowance under a industrial injuries or war pension scheme
• Income Support where the applicable amount includes a disability premium
• Incapacity Benefit
• The standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
• Employment Support Allowance (Income Related or Contributory)
• Armed Forces independence payment
• Universal Credit. This needs to include an amount due to limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity

You may be entitled to a discount if:

• we do not count this person and there are less than two adults in the property that are counted for council tax

You need to have a MyGuildford account to apply for this discount online. If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete this step you will need the following information:

• your council tax reference number - found on your latest bill
• your name exactly as it appears on your council tax bill
• your property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you can go to the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side. You need to select the 'apply for or cancel a disregard' link.

You need to supply the following information:

• the name of the person in the household who is severely mentally impaired
• the date they moved in with you or the date they became severely mentally impaired
• upload a letter from the person's consultant or GP that confirms their diagnosis

or

• in the free text box of the form, tell us the name and contact details of the person's consultant or GP. We can contact them to confirm the diagnosis

You can apply for an exemption from paying council tax if all the members of the household are severely mentally impaired.

For example:

• if a property is set up so that a group of severely mentally impaired adults can live independently. They must be the only people living in the property

You need to have a MyGuildford account to apply for this discount online. If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete this step you will need the following information:

• your council tax reference number - found on your latest bill
• your name exactly as it appears on your council tax bill
• your property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you can go to the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side. You need to select the 'apply for or cancel an exemption' link.

You need to supply the following information:

• the name of the person(s) in the household who are severely mentally impaired
• the date they moved in
• upload a letter from the person's consultant or GP for each member of the household that confirms their diagnosis

or

• in the free text box of the form, tell us the name and contact details of the person's consultant or GP. We can contact them to confirm the diagnosis

If someone moves into your household who is counted for council tax, you may no longer qualify for the discount or exemption.

You can tell us about any changes online if you have a MyGuildford account. If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete this step you will need the following information:

• your council tax reference number - found on your latest bill
• your name exactly as it appears on your council tax bill
• your property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you can go to the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side.

You can use the 'apply for or cancel a disregard' or 'apply for or cancel an exemption' links to tell us about the change.

If there is a change to your discount or exemption, we will send you a new bill.

We will contact you if we need any further information.

If you are entitled to a discount or exemption, we will send you a new bill.