A Northallerton man is campaigning for an end to the postcode lottery for families of dementia patients applying for council tax discount.
Derek Brown, 71, has launched a petition to highlight an issue which means some councils — including Hambleton and Richmondshire — insist households which have someone living with dementia prove they are entitled to a related benefit before they receive a discount on a council tax bill.
Mr Brown is calling for a change in the law so that councils have to give the discount from when the patient is diagnosed by their GP.
Mr Brown discovered the issue after his wife Margaret, 81, was diagnosed with the disease.
Mr Brown said: “My wife Margaret was diagnosed with dementia in early 2018 and I discovered that we were entitled to a 25 per cent discount on our council tax.
“Hambleton District Council, as with many others, only discount the council tax from the date of receipt of attendance allowance rather than the date the GP certifies that the person has dementia.”
He said the delay caused by this requirement can mean households losing between £200 and £2,600.
he added that 261 families in Hambleton and 103 in Richmondshire had missed out on money because of the “ambiguous” way the present laws were written.
Mr Brown challenged Hambleton District Council over the policy and took them to a tribunal and then to the High Court.
Despite the challenges being rejected, Mr Brown is determined to keep campaigning.
“I am campaigning to have the laws reformed to improve the council tax rules changed for families with dementia.
“Attendance allowance is a DWP benefit requiring a 31-page form to be completed.
“Families dealing with dementia are not able to face this form filling when they have just realised that their loved one has an incurable deadly disease.”
A Hambleton District Council spokesperson said: “Council tax discounts for people living with dementia is legislative.
“We are entirely satisfied Hambleton residents are assessed correctly in line with this legislation.”
For more details and to sign the petition click here.
Mr Brown has also set up a website detailing services available in the UK to people with dementia and their families.
Click here for more information.
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