Are paid carers on low pay disregarded for Council Tax?
A care worker who is employed to provide care, lives in the property where they work and is paid only a low amount can be disregarded for Council Tax. This is a separate route from the live-in family carer disregard. The provider and council confirm the arrangement.
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Check what you're owed →This disregard covers paid care workers, often those introduced through a charity, local authority or care provider, who are resident where they work and earn only a modest, capped amount for long hours. Because they are effectively living in to provide care, they are not counted as an ordinary adult resident.
The conditions are specific: the carer must be employed to provide care, must usually work a high number of hours, must be paid no more than the low limit set by the rules, and must live in the premises provided by the employer or the person being cared for.
This route is distinct from the disregard for family members who care for a relative, although a household may sometimes consider both. Because the pay and employment conditions are precise, it is worth confirming eligibility with the council and checking whether the cared-for person qualifies for other reductions too.
How to claim the paid carer disregard
- Check the employment terms. Confirm the carer is employed to provide care, works enough hours and is paid within the low limit.
- Confirm residence. Check the carer lives in the premises where the care is provided.
- Apply to the council. Submit the disregard form with details of the employment and caring arrangement.
- Review the bill. Confirm the carer has been disregarded and check for other reliefs for the household.
Frequently asked questions
- Which carers does this disregard cover?
- Employed care workers on low pay who live in the property where they provide care, often arranged through a charity, council or care provider.
- How is it different from the family carer disregard?
- This route is for paid, employed carers living in to work, whereas the other carer disregard is for someone caring for a relative or friend in their home.
- What pay limit applies?
- The carer must be paid no more than the low capped amount set by the rules and usually work substantial hours for the disregard to apply.
- Does the cared-for person matter?
- Yes. The arrangement must be a genuine caring one, and it is worth checking whether the cared-for person also qualifies for other Council Tax reliefs.
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