Article: Council tax discount Article Body The council tax bill assumes that there are at least two adults (aged 18 years or over) living in a house, as their main home. However, that won't always be the case, and in certain scenarios, discounts can be applied the bill, reducing the amount that needs to be paid. The dwelling is not a main residence Only one person is in residence If only one person lives in a dwelling a single person discount can be applied which will reduce the council tax bill by 25%. For more information and an application click on council tax single person discount form. Specific personal circumstances When counting the number of adults living in a property, certain groups of people can be disregarded as they are not required to pay the full amount of council tax. Where this happens and the count reveals that just one resident is eligible to pay the full amount, then this can reduce the council tax bill by 25%. Or, where this happens and the count reveals that no one is eligible to pay the full amount, then this can reduce the council tax bill by 50%. The only resident(s) in the property may all fall into a "disregarded" group, for example. The groups of people disregarded include: Full time students, student nurses, foreign language assistants. View the council tax discounts - students/student nurses application form. Apprentices and youth training trainees. View the council tax discounts - apprentice or youth trainee application form. Patients resident long term in hospital. View the council tax discounts - patients in hospitals and homes application form. Occupants who are severely mentally impaired. View the council tax discounts - severe mental impairment application form. People caring for someone with a disability who is not a spouse, partner or child under 18. View the council tax discounts - care workers application form. Care workers working for low pay, including Community Service Volunteers. View the council tax discounts - care workers application form. People who are normally resident at a property but who are detained in prison (except those in prison for non payment of council tax or a fine) or hospital or other place under an order of any UK court. View the council tax discounts persons in detention application form. Occupants under the age of 20 who are at or have just left school or college (after 30 April and not counted until 1 November of that year). View the council tax discounts - school and college leavers application form. The following disregards require you to make an application by letter: People staying in certain hostels or night shelters who are of no fixed abode People being looked after in care homes including residential care homes, nursing homes and hostels providing a high level of care Occupants aged 18 and over for whom child benefit is payable Members and dependants of visiting forces and certain international institutions A student's spouse or dependant who is not a British citizen and who by law may not take paid employment or claim benefits Members of religious communities who have no income or capital of their own and are dependant on the religious community to provide for their material needs These groups are stated in broad terms and within each certain conditions may need to be met before a disregard can apply. Some discounts could also attract a property exemption in certain circumstances. Making an application You can apply for a discount by completing and returning the appropriate form linked above and returning it to Benefits and Taxation. Alternatively where there is no form you should write or email the council with your reason(s) for claiming discount see council tax account enquiries. You should ensure that full details relating to your circumstances, the reason(s) for claiming discount and supporting evidence are provided in your letter. Discount for the 65s and over - From 1 April 2009 On 1 April 2009 the council introduced a discount for council tax payers aged 65 and over in order to restrict the annual council tax increase for 2009/2010 and so help relieve financial hardship. Residents who became 65 before 1 April 2009 have, subject to continuing to meet the required conditions, been able to receive a reduction in their charges under this local discount. The scheme will continue in 2012/2013. Anyone who previously did not meet the qualifying conditions in the first 3 years of the scheme, but does so on 1 April 2012, will be able to qualify for a reduced charge equal to that received by existing applicants in their Council Tax band if they meet the required conditions. This includes anyone who reached 65 years of age at any time in the financial year 2011/2012. A claim for council tax '65 & over' discount can be made if all the following conditions are met: the applicant is liable to pay council tax, either jointly or in your own right, on a property in Barnsley on 1 April 2012 a single occupier aged 65 or over, or joint occupiers both aged 65 or over on 1 April 2012 not in receipt of any council tax benefit on the property on 1 April 2012. Only one reduction can apply per household and this applies to the main home. It cannot be applied to second homes or empty properties. The discount will only offset the councils own Barnsley element of the 2012/2013 council tax bill. It does not affect the annual charges raised in respect of the precepts raised by local parishes, the South Yorkshire Police and the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority. Increased charges collected on behalf of those bodies will continue to be payable. Because there has been no change in the Barnsley element of the 2012/2013 council tax bill, applicants already receiving a 65 and over discount will not experience any change to the amount of their discount. The reduction applies to all council tax bands although different flat rate discounts apply to each one. The following discounts apply for 2012/2013. Council Tax Banding Council Tax 2012/2013 Barnsley MBC Services Discount 2012/2013 (£) A 800.39 39 B 993.78 45 C 1067.18 52 D 1200.58 58 E 1467.38 71 F 1734.17 84 G 2000.97 97 H 2401.16 116 Making an application You can apply for the discount by completing a claim form for the 65 and over council tax discount scheme and returning it to Benefits and Taxation - see council tax account enquiries. Existing applicants will continue to receive the discount if their circumstances remain the same and need not reapply. The council will make a decision about whether or not to continue the reduction scheme at the end of the year and if so, how much the reduction will be. If the scheme does continue in future years and you still qualify for the reduction, then you will continue to receive a reduction automatically. Change in circumstances Please tell us immediately if your circumstances change so that we can determine whether or not the discount should continue. If you receive a form in future asking you to confirm your entitlement to discount you should complete and return it to us immediately. If you need to discuss discount entitlement please contact the council tax section see council tax account enquiries. Other information For other helpful information, includng: our contact details methods of payment opening hours Click on council tax account enquiries. You can also view your account online by clicking view your council tax account. Additional information To learn more about our compliments, comments and complaints process please see general complaints. Service standards Details of the councils service standards in relation to council tax can be obtained by clicking on council tax service standards. Processing of information The proper processing of information is important to us. Click to view our Fair Processing Policy. Other useful websites Valuation Office Agency Department of Communities & Local Government Berneslai Homes Citizens Advice Bureau