Carers or those receiving care

Care workers are people who are employed, usually by a charity or local authority, to provide care. 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

If we do not count this person for council tax and there are less than two adults in the property that are counted for council tax, you may be entitled to a discount.

You need to have a MyGuildford account to apply for this discount online. If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete this step you will need the following information:

• your council tax reference number - found on your latest bill
• your name exactly as it appears on your council tax bill
• your property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you can go into the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side. You need to select the 'upload information or tell us about something else' link.

You need to supply the following information:

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

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

• live in the same home as the person you 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.

If we do not count this person for council tax and there are less than two adults in the property that are counted for council tax, you may be entitled to a discount.

You need to have a MyGuildford account to apply for this discount online. If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete this step you will need the following information:

• your council tax reference number - found on your latest bill
• your name exactly as it appears on your council tax bill
• your property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you go into the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side. You need to select the 'apply for or cancel a disregard' link.

You need to supply the following information:

• the date the carer moved in or began caring for someone in your household
• 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. You must confirm the person being cared for is over 18
• upload a photo of a document. This document must show that the person who receives care is entitled to one of the benefits listed below:

• 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

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.

You need to have a MyGuildford account to apply for this exemption online. If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete this step you will need the following information:

• your council tax reference number - found on your latest bill
• your name exactly as it appears on your council tax bill
• your property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you can go to the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side. You need to select the 'apply for or cancel an exemption' link.

You need to supply the following information:

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

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.

You need to have a MyGuildford account to apply for this exemption online. If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete this step you will need the following information to hand:

• your council tax reference number - found on your latest bill
• your name exactly as it appears on your council tax bill
• your property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you can go into the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side. You need to select the 'apply for or cancel an exemption' link.

You need to supply the following information:

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

If someone moves into your household who is counted for council tax, you may not get the discount.

If you move back into your property, either as a carer or someone who was receiving care elsewhere, you will no longer qualify for the reduction.

You can tell us about any changes online if you have a MyGuildford account.  If you do not have a MyGuildford account you can set one up.

Register or sign into your MyGuildford account (opens new window)

If you have not yet registered to access your council tax account online, there are more steps. You can then link your online council tax account to your MyGuildford.

To complete these steps you will need the following information:

• your council tax reference number - found on your latest bill
• your name exactly as it appears on your council tax bill
• your property postcode
• if you have applied for Local Council Tax Support or have been named on a council tax support application, you will also need to provide your national insurance number. This provides an additional level of security

Once you have linked your council tax account, you can go into the 'account summary' screen. You will see a list of 'quick links' on the right-hand side. 

Use the 'apply for or cancel a disregard' or 'apply for or cancel an exemption' form to tell us about the change.

If there is a change to your discount or exemption, we will send you a new bill.

We will contact you if we need any further information.

If you are entitled to a discount or exemption, we will send you a new bill.