A severe mental impairment is a condition that can affect how someone thinks and how they interact with other people.
07:28, 14 Jan 2026Updated 08:34, 15 Jan 2026
A severe mental impairment is a condition that can affect how someone thinks and how they interact with other people.(Image: )
UK households could get 100 per cent council tax discounts – will bills reduced to £0 – if they have certain health conditions. A severe mental impairment is a condition that can affect how someone thinks and how they interact with other people.
It may include Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, or the effects of a stroke or severe learning difficulties. It may also be the result of an injury, Birmingham City Council explains on its website.
The local authority says if you are aged 18 or over and you have a severe mental impairment, you may receive a discount or exemption on your Council Tax bill.
READ MORE Guinness bringing in unwelcome change for drinkers from April
You must be certified by a registered medical professional, such as a doctor, as having a severe mental impairment. You must also be eligible to receive at least one of the listed Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) benefits, too.
This includes Incapacity Benefit, Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, increase in the rate of Disablement Pension as constant attendance is needed, or the care component of Disability Living Allowance at the higher or middle rate.
The Personal Independence Payment, with a standard or enhanced daily living component, is also listed alongside Employment and Support Allowance, Unemployability Supplement, Income Support disability premium awarded on the grounds of incapacity for work.
Others listed are Jobseeker’s Allowance if received by the partner of the severely mentally impaired person, Disability Living Allowance, where based on getting Income Support including disability premium and Universal Credit, including an element for limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity.
The full list is:
- Incapacity benefit
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- increase in the rate of Disablement Pension as constant attendance is needed
- care component of Disability Living Allowance at the higher or middle rate
- Personal Independence Payment, with a standard or enhanced daily living component
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Unemployability Supplement as an increase to Disablement Pension
- Unemployability Supplement, payable with War Disablement Pension
- Income Support disability premium awarded on the grounds of incapacity for work
- Jobseeker’s Allowance if received by the partner of the severely mentally impaired person
- Disability Living Allowance, where based on getting Income Support including disability premium
- Universal Credit, including an element for limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity
If you have a severe mental impairment and either you live by yourself or all the other adults living with you have a severe mental impairment or are full-time students.
You can get a 100% discount on your Council Tax. The council says: “If you want to apply for a discount or exemption for yourself or on behalf of someone else, complete our form.
“Before you start, make sure that you have a Doctor’s Certificate with you. This is to confirm that you or the person you are applying for has a severe mental impairment.
“If you do not have a Doctor’s Certificate, you will need to download our Doctor’s Certificate form and give it to your doctor to complete for you. You can ask them to return it to you to attach with your application or send it back to us.
“If you receive benefits, we may also ask to see a copy of your entitlement letter. You can get this from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).”