Part Time student struggling to pay council tax

greendale9061

Good Morning,

I just want a bit of help. I am a part time Uni student as of September 2006. I am single & have a hefty mortagage which my parents are gladly helping me with until I graduate.

Since starting uni I have had to tighten my belt alot when it comes to food, petrol & general spending. I can live without the little luxuries in life for the next 3 years. I still work full time and therefore dont really have much time to go out. Before I started uni I paid as much bills in full as possible i.e car insurance, council tax. home + contents insurance.

I have also applied for the free course grant offered by the goverment to help part time student (as we can't get Student Loans) My course cost £810/yr which ive also paid in full when I enrolled. Based on my current earings I am hoping to receive a cheque for around £550 which is to spend on my reference books, but im worrying about my soon approaching council tax bill.

Last year it was £1023.75 - 25% = £819/yr. This year I know its gonna go up probally 2% & I don't think I can afford it, without getting futher into debt, or borrowing from my parents. I have phoned the council to ask if im can have any type of benefits/more discount, but they said no as my earings are over the limit (i think she said £15000). Does any one have any suggestions?

A quick breakdown of my spending

Salary - £16224/yr

In my bank - £245/week
Out in expenses - £216/week (this includes all utilities, petrol, food + £20 in saving - but is fixed until August 2007)


PS.I need my car to travel from Manchester - Preston every Tuesday for uni (40 miles). I have tried the train, but cost about the same amount + it took a hell of a lot longer!


Thanks
Kate :-)

Lady_maverick1979

Your council will offer the option of paying your bill in monthly installments, with no extra charge for this...would you consider doing this and spreading the cost.

There is no financial advantage to paying the bill in one lump sum.

HTH,

M.xx

greendale9061

Hi,

I have used this method to pay half of last year bill which was £86.00.I still don't think I can afford the monthly payments as it will probally be over £90/month with the new increase.


Many Thanks for your Suggestion

Kate :-)

CIS

Your out of luck if you cant get benefits unless, and it depends on the college/uni- you can get them to certify you F/time.

We often get claims in from p/time students for student exemptions/disregards which we refuse, the students then get certified as full time, come back with the letter, and we have to award it.

This years bill will be due in full by 31 March, unless you default and go to summons - this will cost (we charge £62.00) but it allows payments to be spread longer term - the problem with this is that you'll be paying this years whilst next years is due.