A MoneySaving Expert investigation has found that around one in five councils in England and Wales state incorrect eligibility criteria for the live-in carer Council Tax discount, on their websites. Read about it here.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, said:  

“Unpaid carers provide support worth a staggering £184 billion to the UK economy each year, but this comes at a significant personal and financial cost. They are often at a financial disadvantage because caring for someone can impact your ability to work and additional expenses - such as specialist food and clothing, and higher electricity bills - add to everyday living costs. Nearly half (49%) of unpaid carers have cut back on essentials in the past year and a third (32%) have taken out a loan from the bank, used credit cards or a bank overdraft.  

“60% of unpaid carers feel anxious or stressed when they think about their financial situation. Unpaid carers are frequently time poor and exhausted from the amount of administration they have to deal with in their caring roles. It’s simply unacceptable that carers are presented with the wrong information when they are so urgently in need of help. It’s essential that they have the right facts about council tax discount in front of them to help them claim what they’re entitled to. This could be a lifeline for many families, helping to relieve some of the pressure they feel and making an important difference to their ability to make ends meet.”  

Not everyone who lives in a property will be counted for the purposes of paying Council Tax. This includes some carers, who may be entitled to discounts on their Council Tax bill. Our helpful Carers UK guidance can help you figure out if you’re entitled to any discounts and see what help is available.