Council Tax discount..they say not entitled!

Voyager2002

pulliptears wrote:

They are now saying the discount is only for students studying above 20 hours! Is this correct? My college has the course down as full time, and to be honest very few of their courses run to 20 hours.

A full-time course means you are studying for twenty hours or more each week. The amount of time you spend in classes or lessons, as opposed to private study, is irrelevant.

You will need a letter from your college stating that you are a full-time student, required to study for more than twenty hours per week. Get this from the office -- administrators should be used to it, lecturers will probably not know anything about it.

blossom30

pulliptears wrote:

Thanks! Its actually me whos the student, its just DH that makes all the calls for me, like me own little secretary lol

I start on the 20th so ill take the form in and have a word with my tutor. Im not elidgable for any help because DH earns too much, what they dont factor into that though is the fact Im supporting 2 kids and paying a mortgage etc.

The plan was I was going to find something in between my lectures, but my Dad has been taken ill again meaning I will have to do a great deal of running around for my mum who cant drive. Im an only child so Im the only one to do all the work really. Not that I mind obviously, it just means that my already limited time will be a little more packed.

Hi I just had to add my tuppence worth here but it appears from your posting that your husband works and therefore his income will be taken into account also and this is probably why you are ineligible for a discount to your counciltax.....sorry it's not good news

DrFluffy

shrewdal wrote:

Hi I just had to add my tuppence worth here but it appears from your posting that your husband works and therefore his income will be taken into account also and this is probably why you are ineligible for a discount to your counciltax.....sorry it's not good news

Hubby/significant others income doesn't matter - if you're a full time student, you are eligable for a 25% discount...

sgx.saint

http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-government-and-democracy/councils/council-tax-and-finance/council-tax-discounts-exemptions-and-reductions.en

A link to an explanation of the discounts from my local council, should be pretty much the same everywhere. As DrFluffy says, if there is a full time student living at the property then a 25% discount is eligable.

Bossyboots

sgx.saint wrote:

http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-government-and-democracy/councils/council-tax-and-finance/council-tax-discounts-exemptions-and-reductions.en

A link to an explanation of the discounts from my local council, should be pretty much the same everywhere. As DrFluffy says, if there is a full time student living at the property then a 25% discount is eligable.

I know what you are trying to say, but that is not strictly accurate although it applies to the OP.

The discount applies where there is only one adult in the house liable for council tax. Therefore if there are two adults and one is a full time student the discount would apply. If there were three adults and one is a full time student the discount would not apply.

I am not being pedantic, just trying to make it clear to anyone stil trying to get their heads round it and the post reads as though having a student in the property was itself a reason to get the discount.

sgx.saint

I am not being pedantic, just trying to make it clear to anyone stil trying to get their heads round it and the post reads as though having a student in the property was itself a reason to get the discount.

No, I never thought you were. I'm pleased you clarified my point

missk_ensington

How many hours your course is, isn't how many hours you are in class. Most full time courses only constitute 10-15 hours a week class time and the rest is Independent Study. So yes, you are entitled!

BigDunc

DW is just starting a childcare course which requires time spent working in a school. Does anyone know if this counts towards study time too?

CIS

You need to be on a course equal to or over 21 hrs per week, lasting at least one academic year and requiring actual attendence for a minimum of 24 weeks. (Iam a council tax officer)

It doesn't matter what the college say is 'full time', we have our own legal definition for council tax, you can get away with lower hours but only if you are under 20yrs of age.

official definition

Full time Students

You are regarded as a full time student for Council Tax purposes if:

You are attending a university or college course which lasts for at least one academic year, takes at least 24 weeks a year, and involves at least 21 hours allocated study time per week during term time.

You are under the age of 20 years and studying for more than three months, for at least 12 hours per week for any qualification up to 'A' level, ONC or OND standard.

Student Nurses studying academic courses at universities or who are on Project 2000 courses are classed as students for Council Tax purposes.

Click here to learn about Student Discounts

BossyBoots is correct with her explanation, as long as their are 2 liable people in the property a 25% discount is not available, even if there additional people in the property who are disregarded students.

pulliptears

I hadnt realised that allocated study came into it! Thanks to everyone here for your advice, most appreciated!
Jane
x