Not benefits but I hope someone has the answer for me...

My client was awarded damages after a RTA resulted in smi. The money paid for a house in which she, her adult siblings and her mum lived. The latter was her appointee for benefit purposes. For some of the same later period my colleague was appointed Receiver by the Court of Protection but had no dealings with benefits etc.

The mother has recently moved away and is no longer dealing with client's affairs. Outstanding council tax bills totalling several thousand have come to light. Despite being her appointee mum never applied for council tax benefit.

We've managed to get 25% smi exemption going back several years but this still leaves a substantial amount outstanding including some with court costs.

In the circumstances is my client liable?

If SMI now living alone I think 100% discount. What possibility of claiming backdated carers discounts when mother and adult members in household. That would increse the 25% up to 50%

Thanks but there's now another adult in the household so still can't get 100% even now.

I've already applied for the 50% for period mum was carer.

Whose name is the property in?

client's as part of the PI trust

Bugger!!

yeah I know

Tue 21-Apr-09 03:15 PM by stainsby

Ask the Council to use its use its discretion under S13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to reduce the liability to zero

Now we're getting somewhere. Thanks Stainsby.