Council Tax Disabled Reduction (Scotland)

Can you get a council tax reduction for a disabled person in Scotland?

If you or someone you live with is disabled and your home has extra space or facilities to meet their needs, you should not have to pay more council tax as a result. The disabled band reduction (sometimes called the disabled persons reduction) makes sure of that. This page explains who qualifies, the exact conditions, how much you can save, and how to apply.

How we can help:

• We help you understand whether the disabled band reduction applies
• We explain what other help may be available
• We speak to your council on your behalf
• We help with council tax arrears or a wage arrestment
• Free, confidential help – with no obligation

Watch: how council tax works in Scotland and what to do if you fall behind.

What is the disabled band reduction?

The disabled band reduction recognises that a disabled person may need more space or extra facilities at home, and makes sure you are not charged more council tax because of it. Where a home qualifies, the bill is worked out as if the property were in the band immediately below its actual band. It is a reduction based on your circumstances, not your income, so it is not means-tested, and you can receive it alongside other discounts and reductions.

Who qualifies?

To qualify, a disabled person must live in the property as their sole or main home, and have a disability that is substantial and permanent. Importantly:

• The disabled person can be an adult or a child;
• They do not have to be the person named on the bill, so you can claim where a family member or someone else in the household is disabled;
• The reduction is about the home meeting the disabled person’s needs, rather than about income or savings.

The qualifying features

As well as a disabled resident, the property must have at least one of the following features, and it must be essential or of major importance to the disabled person’s wellbeing:

• A room (other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) that is used mainly by, and is needed for, the disabled person, for example a room used for treatment or to store equipment;
• An additional bathroom or kitchen that is needed to meet the disabled person’s needs;
• Enough indoor space to use a wheelchair, where a wheelchair is needed and used inside the home.

The feature has to be genuinely required because of the disability, rather than simply an extra room. If your home has one of these, it is well worth applying.

How much is the reduction?

Where the reduction applies, your council tax is charged at the band below your property’s actual band. For example, a Band E home is billed at the Band D rate, and a Band C home at the Band B rate.

If your home is in Band A, there is no lower band to move down to, but you still receive a reduction: the bill is charged at five-ninths (5/9) of the Band D rate. So every qualifying household benefits, whatever band it starts in.

Adaptations and your band

Adapting a home for a disability, for example adding a downstairs bathroom, a ramp or a stairlift, can add value to a property. Council tax rules make sure this does not count against you: adaptations made for a disabled person are not allowed to push your home into a higher band. Combined with the disabled band reduction, this means the right adaptations should never increase your council tax, and may reduce it.

Other help for disabled people and carers

The disabled band reduction is not the only support that may apply, and you can often combine it with other help:

• Severe mental impairment: someone who is severely mentally impaired (with a medical certificate and a qualifying benefit) is disregarded for council tax, which can mean a 25% discount, a 50% discount, or a full exemption depending on who else lives there.
• Carers: someone who provides substantial care for a disabled person (and is not their partner, or the parent of a disabled child under 18) may be disregarded, which can reduce the bill.
• Council Tax Reduction: if you are on a low income, this means-tested scheme can reduce your bill by up to 100%.

You can read more on our council tax discounts page. If more than one type of help applies, they can usually be added together.

How to apply

You apply for the disabled band reduction through your council. There is normally a short form, and the council may ask for evidence, such as confirmation from a doctor or an occupational therapist that the feature is needed for the disabled person. Because it is not means-tested, you do not need to provide details of your income or savings.

If you qualify, the reduction can often be backdated to when you first became eligible, so it is worth applying even if the adaptation was made some time ago. You should tell your council if your circumstances change, for example if the disabled person no longer lives in the property.

If you are struggling to pay

Claiming the disabled band reduction can lower your bill, but if you have already fallen behind, it is important not to ignore the arrears. A missed payment leads to a reminder, then you can lose the right to pay by instalments, then the council can obtain a summary warrant (which adds a statutory 10%) and instruct sheriff officers, who may use a wage arrestment. The good news is that this can be stopped, removed or avoided, and there are several routes to deal with the arrears:

See our full wage arrestment solutions overview, or read more about council tax in Scotland.

Disabled band reduction at a glance

Frequently asked questions

Where to find free, impartial information

As well as speaking to us, you can read more about the disabled band reduction and your rights from these independent, official sources:

• mygov.scot – Council Tax discounts and exemptions (Scottish Government)
• Citizens Advice Scotland – Council Tax
• Disability Rights UK
• National Debtline – Council tax arrears (Scotland)
• MoneyHelper – Dealing with debt (government-backed)

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