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Disability Reduction
We can reduce your Council Tax if at least one person living in your home or property has a disability and the property meets certain criteria (see 'Do l qualify?). This means that people with disabilities do not pay more tax because of the extra space they need. Every home is in a "valuation band" as a way of working out how much Council Tax is due. A Disability Reduction is equal to us putting your home in the next lowest valuation band. For example, if your home is in band C, a Disability Reduction would mean your Council Tax would be for band B. |
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Do l qualify for Disablement reduction?
The basic amount of your Council Tax may be reduced where:
- a disabled person (of any age) lives in your home; and
- your home has certain features that are essential or are very important to the disabled person to meet their special needs.
Your home must have at least one of the following features:
- a room, but not a bathroom, a kitchen or a lavatory, which is mainly for the disabled person to use. (For example the room could be a place for therapy, treatment or another use.)
- an additional bathroom or kitchen to meet the needs of the disabled person; or
- there is room indoors to allow the disabled person use of a wheelchair.
We have to consider if this room was not available in the home whether:
- the disabled person would find it physically impossible or extremely difficult to live there;
- the persons health or disability would be made more severe.
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How do l apply?
Please contact the council for the appropriate application form which you will need to complete either by calling Customer Services on (01621) 854477 or emailing: customer.services@maldon.gov.uk.
| The reduction will start from the day your application is received by the council. If you want the reduction to be awarded from an earlier date, you will have to let us know. |
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We would normally visit your home as part of our decision-making process. It would help us to know your telephone number so we can make an appointment with you. If you qualify, we will send you a new bill showing your Disability Reduction and the amount left to pay. Until you get your new bill, you should pay with the one you already have.
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What if my circumstances change?
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Please let us know if there are any changes that affect your entitlement to a reduction.
This includes where:
- the disabled person (or people) move out;
- their condition improves;
- the features to meet special needs are removed/changed.
We have to check reductions regularly, so we will send you a review form asking you to confirm the details of people living in your home. If there is a change, we will adjust your Council Tax bill from the date of the change. You must tell us about any change. If you don't, you may have to pay a fine.
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