Should I claim council tax benefit if just eligible ?

boneofo

Hi all.

I've just taken a job on the minimum wage and according to website Entitled To, I'm eligible for some council tax benefit. However, I've just found out if my shift is changed, I get a premium for this which will only amount to a couple of quid a week. Should I tell the council this every week my wage changes a bit or is there a threshold for changes?

Also, my new work mates have told me sometimes they get a bonus and from what they have received in the past, if added onto my wage would make me ineligible for council tax benefit. Should I tell the council about this on my application as I don't even know if I'll be working for here that long.

MrsBartolozzi

As I recall the council want 3 months' payslips (fewer if paid weekly or fortnightly) and they take an average to work out your entitlement.
So I wouldn't worry if you have a rich month, then back to normal for a while. If it's a more regular occurance then you could take in a few recent payslips and ask them to average over what you've earned and see if you are still entitled.
It all depends on how much money you would be entitled to and whether it's worth the hassle of filling in the huge form, getting bank statements for 3 months etc etc. I'm getting a smallish amount too and tbh if it was only a couple of ££ I'd probably not bother as the experience of applying previously felt quite intrusive and not something I'd do if I could afford not to.

allen35

If entitled do claim, i always encourage to claim even if a couple of pounds.

Allowances and thresholds seem to go up every year and it may mean you are losing out on more than you thought in the future.