Martin Lewis says unpaid carers 'can't trust' RBWM and Slough council websites

The Royal Borough and Slough councils have responded to being called out by TV financial expert Martin Lewis on incorrect listings of tax support for unpaid carers.

The two Berkshire local authorities were shamed alongside 67 others who Lewis said unpaid carers ‘can’t trust’ over lacking website information on available council tax discounts.

Live-in Council Tax Carers Discount offers up to 50 per cent relief on the fee, worth hundreds of pounds, and is designed to help people giving unpaid care to people living in their household.

But a string of offending authorities, including the Royal Borough and Slough, were found to list an incorrect eligibility criteria for the discount on their websites, MoneySavingExpert.com analysis found.

To qualify for the discount a person must ‘provide at least 35 hours of free care a week to somebody in their household who isn’t a spouse, partner or child under 18’.

A person must also be in receipt of any one of a number of specific benefits.

The criteria can be found on the Carers UK website.

However, many of the problem councils identified did not list the full criteria – which was updated in 2013 – and omitted mention of benefits like Armed Forces Independence Payment.

Lewis said: “Unpaid carers can’t trust councils’ information about carers’ council tax discounts.

“All carers who thought they weren’t eligible after checking councils' websites should check again.

“If you did miss out due to councils’ poor info, ask for a backdated discount to the point of first eligibility, though different councils have different rules.”

He added: “While it’s often done out of love, that doesn’t mean it isn’t hard.

“And while this discount isn’t means-tested, many who are caring, unpaid, for at least 35 hours a week, are almost certainly under a great deal of financial stress.

“So, the idea that they’re being misled about £100s a year in discounts from their own councils really sticks in the craw.”

The money guru called on the offending councils to ‘urgently update’ websites with the proper criteria, and added he would report the ‘information lapse’ to Government.

Following a request for comment by the Advertiser, the Royal Borough has updated the criteria listed on its website.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is committed to ensuring unpaid carers receive the support available to them.

“We provide a dedicated Carers Hub on RBWM Together, which includes information about the carers’ council tax discount as well as other financial benefits and support that carers may be eligible for.

“We have also highlighted this support through our regular communications with residents.

“We recognise how important it is that information is clear, accurate and easy to find.”

A spokesperson for Slough Borough Council said ‘the council accepts that information held on our website is incorrect and doesn’t reflect the post 2013 eligibility criteria’.

They said the council ‘will be reviewing the website content and application form’ and ‘staff will receive communication to raise their awareness to ensure discounts are awarded correctly’.