ESA & Council tax help please?

Kev27

Hi ive just been moved onto ESA income from long term incapacity benefit, i moved into a one bedroom private flat just over two years ago that is categaorized as Band A.

i was paying £6 a month council tax when i first moved in up until a few months ago when it went up to £10 a month which is a bit of a struggle on top of everything else i need to pay, bills, food stuff for my needs etc.

Anyway from the beginning of April i have to start paying £20 a month coucil tax on top of £25 a week towards my rent starting on the 14th of this month because im in private accomodation, not sure how i am gonna manage all this on top of paying for my prescriptions, bills, food etc as im struggling to live as it is.

I cant move into council accomodation as it is to far from my family and i need them close for my needs right now.

Could i be entiltled to any council tax discounts or am i paying the minimum discount as it is?

Many thanks for any advice.

Kev

BigAunty

Double check your entitlements on the Turn2us online benefit checker.

Do you have any capital above 6k? Do you have any care or mobility needs? (see the Direct Gov website to see if you meet the criteria for Disability Living Allowance). Is it income related or contributions based ESA?

You can apply for discretionary housing benefit to cover the shortfall but it may not be granted, and if it is, will be granted on a temporary basis.

If you are under 35, Local Housing Allowance will only pay the equivalent of a room in a shared house in the cheapest third of local rents, therefore it rarely stretches to a claimant affording a 1 bedroom property. If this applies to you, you may need to consider moving into a cheaper property.

Kev27

BigAunty wrote: »

Double check your entitlements on the Turn2us online benefit checker.

Do you have any capital above 6k? Do you have any care or mobility needs? (see the Direct Gov website to see if you meet the criteria for Disability Living Allowance). Is it income related or contributions based ESA?

You can apply for discretionary housing benefit to cover the shortfall but it may not be granted, and if it is, will be granted on a temporary basis.

Thanks bigaunty, i dont have any capital at all, my mum and family help me out a lot but not sure if i would qualify for DLA as i can do a few things myself around the flat but i cant go outside to any shops etc at the moment.

I get income related Esa (i think?.) thanks for letting me know about the discretionary housing benefit cover, i shall look into this.

Would i need to look into the council tax myself or would they let me know automatically if i was entilted to any discounts?

Many thanks for taking time to reply

much appreciated

Kev

BigAunty

Do check the type of ESA you are on as I don't believe that you have to pay for prescription charges with income related ESA or if that's not the case, you can see if it's cheaper if you get the prepayment certificate.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018978

Check your entitlements and apply yourself - don't expect the local council to notify you, be proactive. I would have thought you'd have full CT exemption (just an assumption) but other members can tell you.

Kev27

BigAunty wrote: »

Do check the type of ESA you are on as I don't believe that you have to pay for prescription charges with income related ESA or if that's not the case, you can see if it's cheaper if you get the prepayment certificate.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018978

Check your entitlements and apply yourself - don't expect the local council to notify you, be proactive. I would have thought you'd have full CT exemption (just an assumption) but other members can tell you.

Thanks again Bigaunty, my mum did look into my prescriptions for me and i do have to pay for them so am i right in persuming that im on esa contributions? i shall look into the council tax asap, many thanks for your help and the link provided.

Kev

BigAunty

Do you live with anyone and do you receive any other benefits apart from ESA (and housing/council tax benefit)?

fluffymovie

If you are in ESA income related, you would get full CTB so am confused why your benefit has reduced?

The move from IB to ESA is complicated but the idea is thAt you don't lose any mOney from either ESA or HB and CTB. Have you asked why your CTB has reduced?

Kev27

Bigaunty i live on my own in a 1 bedroom private flat and dont recieve any other benefits apart from the ones that you mentioned, thanks.

Fluffy i presume that im on contributing ESA seeing as i have to pay for my prescriptions?
i really must get out all of my letters that i have stored in a folder and get a relative to check properly for me.

Im not sure why i have to pay £20 a month from 6th April, in fact i think its £22 a month, would i be best getting in touch with my local one stop shop or is this the wrong place to get in touch with? Thanks
Kev

rogerblack

fluffymovie wrote: »

If you are in ESA income related, you would get full CTB so am confused why your benefit has reduced?

Full CTB does not mean other charges bundled in with the council tax bill are paid.
Specifically, I have to pay around 40/mo for water/sewerage charges.

CIS

Would i need to look into the council tax myself or would they let me know automatically if i was entilted to any discounts?

There are no council tax discounts applicable for you - any reduction would have to be via council tax benefit.

fluffymovie

Apologies Rogerblack, I should have said in England. I assume you're in Scotland?