Hundreds and thousands of Brits could be eligible for a council tax discount or complete exemption - without even realising it. Based on the value of your property in 1991 (or 2003 if you live in Wales), the council tax banding system has long been a controversial one.
The average band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2024/25 was £2,171, according to Government figures. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, this is yet another cost most of us could do without. Of course, council tax helps local authorities provide essential services we all rely on - including waste and recycling.
Martin Lewis recently brought the topic up on his ITV show, stating that certain medical conditions referred to as SMIs could result in a hefty discount. "An severe mental impairment (SMI) - horrible term, not mine - is defined as [impact on] intelligence and social functioning which appears to be permanent," he reportedly said.
The money-saving expert added that severe dementia, strokes, severe Parkinson's, and brain injuries were likely to fall under the government's classification of a SMI. "To claim it, that person must also be on a qualifying benefit," Martin warned. "In Scotland, they must be eligible for a qualifying benefit even if they're not actually claiming.".
The government states that the phrase SMI 'refers to people with psychological problems that are often so debilitating that their ability to engage in functional and occupational activities is severely impaired'. Because of this, it's hard to give a black-and-white list of diagnoses, but conditions such as Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder often fall under this term.
