Lewes District Council

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Council Tax
Lewes District Council
4 Fisher Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2DQ


Tel: 01273 484189
localtax@lewes.gov.uk
Minicom 01273 484488

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Council Tax - Reduction For Disabled

People with disabilities or those living with them may be liable to a reduction in Council Tax.

If you are disabled or live with somebody who is, you could be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax.

Certain conditions must be met for the disabled reduction to be given. An application has been made by them or on their behalf.

The property concerned must be the disabled person’s sole or main residence.

The property must contain a room which is not a bathroom, kitchen or lavatory and mainly used by and required to meet the needs of the disabled person.

Examples are a quiet room for a blind person containing Braille machines, talking books etc. An extension containing a home kidney dialysis machine. A padded room for an autistic child with armour-plated glass and reinforced door.

Or the property must contain a bathroom or kitchen which is not the only bathroom or kitchen within the property and is mainly used by and required to meet the needs of the disabled person.

Example include an extension at rear of kitchen containing a bedroom and shower.

Or where there is sufficient floor space to permit the use of a wheelchair required for meeting the needs of the disabled person.

Example include widening of doors and sliding doors fitted.

Claim A Reduction

On receipt of your application we will look at your form to assess whether your application is valid. We will then arrange for a Local Taxation Services Inspector to visit your property to verify your application.

You will be notified as soon as possible after the inspection has taken place, whether you are successful or not.

If successful, you will be sent an adjusted bill that is calculated on the next Valuation Band below the one at
which the property is currently valued.

Band A properties get a discount equivalent to the difference between Band B and Band A.

Backdated Claims

We will give consideration to requests for backdating valuations where it can be clearly proved the circumstances existed prior to the application being made.

Details of the disabled reduction scheme are sent each year with annual Council Tax bills. Therefore it is unlikely an award will be made beyond the start of the financial year in which the application was made.

Ongoing Discounts

We will contact you in writing towards the end of the financial year to check your personal circumstances have not changed. If so, your reduction will continue.

If changes have occurred to such an extent you are no longer entitled to receive the disabled reduction you must inform us within 21 days of the change.