Rules for Council Tax rebate

wadewade

I'm trying to help a single parent who is suffering severe cash problems. She is getting 25% off her council tax for being a single occupier but I imagine that she should qualify for more assistance as her earnings are very low.

Our Council website is somewhat unhelpful - quote

"If you are on a low income, depending on how much you have to pay and your personal
circumstances, you may qualify for help with paying your council tax.
We can arrange an appointment to help you complete your claim."

Could someone point me towards where the low income provisions for council taxare laid down, please? I presume there are national rules rather than council by council?
Thank you.

karenx

She needs to apply for council tax benefit. There should be something on her local council website of how she can apply, they may have forms there to download and send in or you may have to go into the local office and get them.

fluffymovie

Don't think that the comment on the website is unhelpful per se.

The calculation for Council Tax benefit is calculated based on individual circumstances and if you check the website for the council, they should have a calculator.

Basically, the government says a person needs an amount to live on. For example, a single person over 25 this is £65.45.

There are premiums which are added on if they have children, disabled and so on.

Then look at income and if working, how many hours, tax credits etc.

The benefit is then calculated an for CTB, any award is applied to the Ctax account to the end of the financial year.