Pension Credits & Council Tax

amahod

I have a query regarding council tax and pension credits... My mother in law currently has all of her council tax paid for by pension credits and, as she is finding it increasingly difficult to cope by herself, we (me, my partner and 2 children) are moving in to help care for her - I was expecting that her pension credits for the council tax would stop and we would then be liable to pay the full amount - does anyone know if this is correct? (Please be gentle with me im a first time poster!)

CIS

Your mother in law would always be liable for the Council Tax due if she is the owner or tenant of the property (unless upu are joint tenant or owner).

Her council tax benefit may not stop, it depends on the circumstances. A non-dependent deduction would be applied to the council tax benefit based on an assumption (in the governments eyes) of what contribution you should make and the amount of council tax benefit she gets would be reduced accordingly.

Any single person discount on the council tax would also be lost.

anmarj

Does she get AA/DLA and if so, does she get a premium on her Pension Credit award, if so then that would stop and her Pension Credit go down, and that may put her into the savings credit award only.,

sleepless_saver

You would need to tell the council that you are moving in as a carer. There should be some discount for that, although not sure if they would count both you and your partner as carers. No harm asking though.

Also if you are keeping on your old home, you may be entitled to some reduction on council tax for that as you have moved to care for someone else.

Finally, if MIL isn't getting attendance allowance (if over 65) already then she should apply. Best to get help from CAB with this. It will not reduce any of her other benefits and may increase her entitlements.

fluffymovie

If your MIL is in receipt of Attendance Allowance, the council will not take a non dependent deduction for you but if not, they will.

If a non dep deduction is made, if your mum is over 65, then this would be delayed for 26 weeks meaning that she would still get full CTB even though they know you are there but she would lose her single person discount

if you are able to give us some more information, we may be able to help a bit more?