Glossary · UK
What is Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction Scheme?
A scheme that re-bands a property one Council Tax band lower where it has been adapted for a resident with a disability, such as an extra bathroom, room or wheelchair space.
Full Definition
The disabled band reduction scheme lowers a household's Council Tax bill where the property has features that are essential, or of major importance, to the well-being of a disabled resident -- for example an extra kitchen or bathroom needed for their condition, a room (other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) used mainly by the disabled person to meet their needs, or enough floor space to use a wheelchair indoors. If a property qualifies, the council re-bands it down by one Council Tax valuation band for billing purposes, so a Band D property is billed as if it were Band C, and so on; a property already in the lowest band, Band A, instead receives a reduction equivalent to one-ninth of the Band D charge, since there is no lower band to move it to. The reduction applies regardless of whether the disabled person is the one liable to pay the Council Tax, and can be claimed by contacting the local council directly (a home visit or supporting evidence, such as from a GP or occupational therapist, is often required). It is separate from, and can be claimed alongside, means-tested Council Tax Reduction and disregards used in the single person discount calculation.