Council Tax Benefit

Anchoress · 6 February 2017 at 7:52PM

Hi, I think working age people are eligible for CT benefit if they are on a low wage, does this apply to OAP's on a low income too?

My neighbour is in dire straits and I'm trying to get some info together for her. She does already claim the 25% single occupier discount but is above the pension credit limit.

Thanks

Housing_Benefit_Officer · 6 February 2017 at 8:18PM

Yes - they can claim help towards Council Tax. The rules for pensioners are far more generous than working folk.

theartfullodger · 6 February 2017 at 8:31PM

It's now called Council Tax Reduction, different rules..
https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction
&
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction/council-tax-reduction-making-an-application/council-tax-reduction-who-can-apply/

Anchoress · 6 February 2017 at 8:41PM

Many thanks to you both and for the useful links.

I'll pass the info on. Apparently she's always struggled to pay the council tax so this will be really helpful.

Our council (Surrey) wants to increase our bills by15% for this year so she's been really worried.

Tabbytabbitha · 6 February 2017 at 8:44PM

If she's on a really low income, it might be worthwhile getting her to look to see if she's eligible for Pension Credit.

https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/overview

McKneff · 6 February 2017 at 9:01PM

Op says she is over the pension credit limit

Anchoress · 6 February 2017 at 9:06PM

Thanks Tabby, but her income is approx. £178pw so is above the pension credit level. It's the council tax that is causing the main worry. It's a few pounds shy of £2000 a year (for a small terrace property) and whilst she gets the 25% discount it's still been a large bill for her to pay out of her pension.

From the links the Artfullodger has given it seems she may be able to get some real help.

theartfullodger · 6 February 2017 at 9:38PM

Own home, council or private tenant? (There may be help in each case..)

Run the gov.uk benefits calculators to see if any other benefits available (doubt it but worth the hour or so's time)..???.
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Perhaps CaB have suggestions of local help, charities?

May be hard for the proud but food bank?
https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank

How old ? (I'm 69... ) I take it she is getting all 6 benefits...
- State pension
- Winter fuel allowance
- £10 Xmas bonus
- Free eye tests
- Free prescription
- 'bus pass

Best wishes to you both

marliepanda · 6 February 2017 at 9:42PM

Anchoress wrote: »

Thanks Tabby, but her income is approx. £178pw so is above the pension credit level. It's the council tax that is causing the main worry. It's a few pounds shy of £2000 a year (for a small terrace property) and whilst she gets the 25% discount it's still been a large bill for her to pay out of her pension.

From the links the Artfullodger has given it seems she may be able to get some real help.

Thats a very high council tax bill? I lived in some 'decent value' properties and my council tax was never anywhere near that.

My current council, a charge of nearly £2000 would only apply to Band E and above, not something I would associate with a 'small terrace'

xylophone · 6 February 2017 at 9:53PM

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/45529/CS3000-Council-Tax-2015_v5.pdf

A small terrace is Band F or G? Is the property correctly banded?

Anchoress · 7 February 2017 at 12:35AM

xylophone wrote: »

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/45529/CS3000-Council-Tax-2015_v5.pdf

A small terrace is Band F or G? Is the property correctly banded?

Our terraces are tax band E and I can assure you they are 'small'. When they redid the council tax back in the 90's, or whenever, our properties just crept into the E band. It was challenged years ago by a neighbour who has since moved, but was deemed correct.

£2k is a heck of a lot and as I said before they want to increase it by 15% this year

. In fact, they are increasing it pending a referendum on whether the people of Surrey will accept the increase or not. If the vote is No the overpaid amount will be refunded to the residents. All a bit backward to be honest and costly.

Council Tax Benefit

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