Carers or those receiving care

Care workers are people who provide care. They're employed, usually by a charity or local authority. Care workers living in your household are not counted for council tax if they:

• provide support or care to another person at the same address
• are employed to provide support or care to that person. They were introduced to that person by a charity or local authority
• earn no more than £44 per week
• work for at least 24 hours a week
• live where the care is given or in premises which have been provided for the work

To get a discount:

• we must not count the care worker for council tax, and
• there are less than two adults in the property that are counted for council tax

How to apply

1. log in to your MyGuildford account (opens new window)
2. click the 'council tax and benefits' tile
3. select 'continue' on the 'view other services' page
4. select 'council tax' on the 'your services' page
5. on your account summary page, find the list of quick links

• if you're using a computer or laptop these will be on the right-hand side of the screen
• if you're using a mobile device, click 'quick links'

6. in the list of quick links find ''upload information or tell us about something else' '
7. fill in the form. You'll need to:

• tell us the date the care worker moved in with you
• tell us the name of the person who is receiving the care
• tell us how often the care worker is paid
• upload a photo of a payslip that shows the care worker's earnings

What happens next?

We'll contact you if we need further information. If you are entitled to a discount, we'll send you a new bill.

People living in your household that care for another member of your household are not counted for council tax if they:

• live in the same home as the person they provide care for
• provide at least 35 hours a week of care

The person receiving care must be entitled to receive one of the following benefits:

• any rate of Attendance Allowance (AA)
• the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• any rate of the daily living activity components of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• an increase in the rate of Industrial Injuries Disablement Pension for Constant Attendance Allowance
• an increase in the rate of War Disablement Pension for Constant Attendance Allowance

You cannot claim this reduction if the carer is caring for their spouse/partner or child under 18.

The person who is the carer does not have to be in receipt of a Carer's Allowance to be eligible for the discount.

To get a discount:

• we must not count the carer for council tax, and
• there are less than two adults in the property that are counted for council tax

How to apply

1. log in to your MyGuildford account (opens new window)
2. click the 'council tax and benefits' tile
3. select 'continue' on the 'view other services' page
4. select 'council tax' on the 'your services' page
5. on your account summary page, find the list of quick links

• if you're using a computer or laptop these will be on the right-hand side of the screen
• if you're using a mobile device, click 'quick links'

6. in the list of quick links find 'apply for or cancel a disregard'
7. fill in the form. You'll need to:

• tell us the date the carer moved in or began caring for someone in your household
• tell us the name of the person who is receiving the care
• confirm that the carer provides care for 35 hours per week or more
• confirm that the carer is not the partner/spouse of the person being cared for
• confirm the person being cared for is over 18
• upload a photo of a document to prove that the person who receives care is entitled to:

• any rate of Attendance Allowance (AA)
• the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• any rate of the daily living activity components of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• an increase in the rate of Industrial Injuries Disablement Pension for Constant Attendance Allowance
• an increase in the rate of War Disablement Pension for Constant Attendance Allowance

What happens next?

We'll contact you if we need further information. If you are entitled to a discount, we'll send you a new bill.

If you own or rent a property and you leave it unoccupied when you move to care for someone, it may be exempt from council tax. This means you don't have to pay council tax for your property.

It doesn't matter if you leave furniture in the property. You must have moved out and made your permanent home with the person you are caring for.

How to apply

1. log in to your MyGuildford account (opens new window)
2. click the 'council tax and benefits' tile
3. select 'continue' on the 'view other services' page
4. select 'council tax' on the 'your services' page
5. on your account summary page, find the list of quick links

• if you're using a computer or laptop these will be on the right-hand side of the screen
• if you're using a mobile device, click 'quick links'

6. in the list of quick links find 'apply for or cancel an exemption'
7. fill in the form. You'll need to tell us:

• the date you moved out of your property
• the address that you have moved to so you can provide care

What happens next?

We'll contact you if we need further information. If you are entitled to a exemption, we'll send you a new bill.

If you own or rent a property and you leave it unoccupied when you move to receive care, it may be exempt from council tax. This means you don't have to pay council tax for your property.

It doesn't matter if you leave furniture in the property. You must have moved out and made your permanent home in the place you are receiving care.

How to apply

1. log in to your MyGuildford account (opens new window)
2. click the 'council tax and benefits' tile
3. select 'continue' on the 'view other services' page
4. select 'council tax' on the 'your services' page
5. on your account summary page, find the list of quick links

• if you're using a computer or laptop these will be on the right-hand side of the screen
• if you're using a mobile device, click 'quick links'

6. in the list of quick links find 'apply for or cancel an exemption'
7. fill in the form. You'll need to tell us:

• the date you moved out of your property
• the address that you have moved to so you can receive care.
• the reason the move was needed 

What happens next?

We'll contact you if we need further information. If you are entitled to a exemption, we'll send you a new bill.

If someone moves into your household who is counted for council tax, you may no longer qualify for a discount or exemption.

Tell us about the change

You can tell us about a change online through your MyGuildford account. 

You'll need to:

1. log in to your MyGuildford account (opens new window)
2. click the 'council tax and benefits' tile
3. select 'continue' on the 'view other services' page
4. select 'council tax' on the 'your services' page
5. on your account summary page, find the list of quick links

• if you're using a computer or laptop these will be on the right-hand side of the screen
• if you're using a mobile device, click 'quick links'

6. to tell us about a change to:

• a care worker living in your household click 'upload information or tell us about something else' in the list of quick links
• a person living in your household that cares for another member of your household click 'apply for or cancel a disregard' in the list of quick links
• a property you own or rent thats left unoccupied when you move out to care for someone or receive care click 'apply for or cancel an exemption'

7. follow the steps on the form

What happens next?

We'll contact you if we need further information. We'll update your council tax account and issue you with a new bill.