Rules for Council Tax Single Person's Discount?

bryanb

You say your mum is a widow. Is your late dad's name still on the electoral roll? Or on other things they may have checked?

devasue

bryanb wrote: »

You say your mum is a widow. Is your late dad's name still on the electoral roll? Or on other things they may have checked?

No. My Dad died 25 years ago in another town. My mum moved to this area about 17 years ago.

CIS

Many authorities are using companies that cross reference against names held by experian and equifax and utility bills etc .

Very few authorities will 'spy' on properties as its far too labor intensive for council tax purposes (they will for benefit purpsoes.)

hippy-chicy

CIS may correct me but i am 99.9% sure that they wont have been carrying out surveilance on your mums property. Its expensive and councils just dont have the resources to do for somethign like this. It will be just a case of the bills etc or other similar info indicating that you may be resident at the property.

Do as CIS states and you'll have it cleared up in no time.

Edit : Beat me too it

Thriftylad

I agree with the other comments on here, once you have provided proof that you live elsewhere then there shouldn't be a problem. I would also advise that your mum sends in a letter to the Council asking for copies of all of the information they hold on her under the Datat Protection Act. They have 40 days to respond to such a request and this should identify exactly what information they hold on her. If there is no reposnse within this time frame (not uncommon for Councils to ignore the law) then complain to the Office of the Information Commissioner (you can google for the contact details).

If your mum has communication difficulties she may well be entitled to Attendance Allowance despite being fit and healthly in other ways. Its a non-means tested benefit and he worst that can happen is that she puts a claim in and gets turned down. It could be worth an extra £47 per week to her.

Oldernotwiser

Thriftylad wrote: »

If your mum has communication difficulties she may well be entitled to Attendance Allowance despite being fit and healthly in other ways. Its a non-means tested benefit and he worst that can happen is that she puts a claim in and gets turned down. It could be worth an extra £47 per week to her.

I suppose there's no harm in trying but if everyone who was a bit hard of hearing was eligible for AA that's be practically the whole of the over 70s population!