Council tax relief for terminally ill residents

This is an important step and will help more people in Manchester understand what support they are entitled to, and how to claim it. But other local councils must follow suit and make people at the end of life exempt from council tax payments.

People at the end of life should be able to focus on what really matters, but as life is often more expensive when you live with a terminal diagnosis, too many people are spending their final days, weeks and months struggling to make ends meet.

That’s why Marie Curie is calling for councils across England to review the financial support they offer people with a terminal illness and their loved ones. Together, we are urging councils to ensure that people with less than 12 months to live are exempt from paying council tax.

Suspending council tax for terminally ill people means they face one less financial burden during an already unimaginably difficult time. It’s not just a thoughtful act - it could be the difference between security and poverty at the end of life, when comfort and dignity should be non-negotiable.

Audrey from Houghton-le-Spring knows the unique stress of this situation, as she declared herself bankrupt while caring for her terminally ill husband, Eddie.

“It would have been great to have been council tax exempt when Eddie was first diagnosed,” Audrey said.

"It would have been one less bill to worry about. That money could have been spent on other bills like heating, lighting, food or equipment to make Eddie's daily living easier.

"You shouldn't have to worry about money or bills when you are dying. This support could go a long way to help with other unseen costs when you have a palliative diagnosis."

After a terminal diagnosis many people incur unavoidable additional costs from day-to-day needs like transport and personal care. They may also need to pay out of pocket for home adaptations or specialist equipment. People living with a terminal illness often have energy bills that are thousands of pounds higher than the average household, due to the extra heating and other utilities they may need to manage their symptoms. So, when the cost of living increases, the cost of dying does, too.

Manchester City Council have changed their Discretionary Council Tax Policy (DCTP) to explicitly include a commitment to support those with a terminal illness.

This means that all terminally ill Manchester City Council residents with an SR1 form are eligible for the council tax support scheme. The SR1 form is completed by a clinician and acts as evidence that a person has a progressive disease and is expected to pass away within 12 months.

More information about this council tax support scheme, and how to apply for it, can be found on the Manchester City Council website.

We know that it can be difficult to make ends meet at the end of your life. If you or a loved one are affected by terminal illness, and are concerned about finances, we can help.

Our website has helpful information about the main state benefits and entitlements section of our section of our website for helpful information and access our free benefits calculator to help you find out which benefits you can claim if you're affected by terminal illness.

You can also contact the free and confidential Marie Curie Support Line for practical or clinical information, emotional support, or if you have experienced a bereavement, whatever your situation. We have dedicated Energy Support Officers on hand, who can give you expert information on things like supplier-specific support, grants, and energy efficiency updates.

Call free on 0800 090 2309, book a call at a time that suits you or email us at support@mariecurie.org.uk .

Nobody should die in poverty, and we're calling for change. Please sign our petition if you agree that the UK Government needs to fix the cost of dying crisis.

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