Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert (MSE), is encouraging unpaid carers to revisit their eligibility for the live-in Carer Council Tax discount after a major update in council guidance. Following an investigation by MSE in January 2026, 69 councils across England and Wales have corrected misleading information on their websites regarding qualification criteria for this discount.
The investigation, titled ‘councils that couldn’t Care less,’ revealed that one in five councils provided incorrect or incomplete details about the live-in Carer discount—a support scheme that has been available since eligibility was expanded in 2013. The wrong advice may have prevented up to five million unpaid carers from claiming much-needed financial relief, amounting to an average loss of between £500 and £1,000 per year.
In the wake of MSE’s report, all identified councils have updated their online resources to provide accurate guidance. Martin Lewis said, “Carers are some of society’s most unsung heroes, often under immense pressure and financial strain. It’s unacceptable that so many councils failed to provide correct information for so long. I’m relieved that the majority have now taken action, but unpaid carers should still check again, and if they missed out because of previous misinformation, they should ask for a backdated discount.”
READ MORE: Bid to Unlock Sale of Historic Gloucester Docks Warehouses
READ MORE: Father Brown Star Nancy Carroll Ventures into Hollywood with Role in DC’s Clayface
Helen Walker, CEO of Carers UK, praised the campaign’s impact. “Every penny counts for unpaid carers who face higher costs and reduced income due to their roles. Clear, accurate information is essential to make claiming support straightforward. We urge carers in affected areas to review their eligibility again.”
The live-in Carer Council Tax discount applies to households where a carer lives with and provides at least 35 hours of unpaid care weekly for someone receiving qualifying disability benefits. Typically, this involves scenarios such as a parent caring for an adult child, an adult child caring for a parent, or siblings caring for one another. Prior to 2013, qualifying benefits were limited, but since then the list has expanded. Many councils’ websites had failed to update these criteria, leading to widespread misinformation.
MSE’s comprehensive review of over 200 council websites found that 69 provided incorrect or incomplete criteria, while 80 others lacked clear online details altogether. The UK Government has since urged local authorities to prioritize accuracy in Council Tax support information, and political leaders like Lib Dems leader Sir Ed Davey have committed to addressing these discrepancies.
The live-in Carer discount effectively disregards the carer’s presence for Council Tax calculations, often making the household eligible for the 25% single person discount. Carers who believe previous guidance caused them to miss out should contact their council to request a backdated discount, which may extend to the date they first became eligible. Rules and backdating allowances can vary by council.
This correction provides a timely opportunity for unpaid carers to claim financial relief they are rightfully owed. Martin Lewis’s message is clear: if you care for someone and have been told you don’t qualify, check again, and ask for the discount — you might be surprised how much you’re owed.