I've recently become aware of a new possible financial threat, and thought I would share it (but I expect it's already been discussed - I don't scan the BBs much these days)
My local council can grant a council tax "disregard" to a carer who is living with the person being cared for, and who is not a "disqualified relative". It's not dependent on the carer already getting Carer's Allowance.
This disregard becomes relevant if there are only two adults resident at the address because if one is disregarded, the household can apply for the 25% "single resident" discount, and if the cared-for person also meets disregard criteria the household can apply for the 50% "no persons resident" discount - a significant saving.
The problem arises because the cared-for person needs to be getting DLA HRC (or another similar level benefit whose details escape me just now).
What, I ask myself, will happen when DLA is replaced by PIP? Cash-strapped councils may just let this kindness lapse. I have already read about the 25% single person discount being under scrutiny to claw in more revenue. Scrapping a carer disregard would be far less painful politically, I expect.
Anyway, there it is.
