Council tax arrears

Melisandre_of_Asshai

I have council tax arrears from a few years ago that I was paying off at a set amount to sheriff officers while I was employed. I was then made redundant so the sheriff officers were taking so much per week out of my IS.

Since then I have recently gotten married and as such my entitlement to benefits stopped as my husband works full time. As a result of this, the payments to the sheriff officers stopped.

I need to contact them to re-negotiate payment, but wondered if there is a 'set' amount they are entitled to take - past experience with them has found that they consistently refuse to negotitate an affordable amount.

I am still unemployed at the moment, and only in receipt of CB and tax credits. My husband is not liable for the debt as I hadn't even met him when the debt was accrued, and was living on my own.

I would just like to know if they are allowed to refuse a payment offer?

HappyMJ

They can only take money from your "earned" income including any JSA or income support. They cannot take it from your child benefits or child tax credits. If you have no earned income of your own then offer them zero.

Yes they can refuse a payment offer and return the debt to the court for further enforcement action.

McKneff

Obviously, your OH isnt liable, but any reason why he cant help you out,

Ive been married 44 years and we have never had a mine and yours situation, money paid into the bank is ours, the money going out is ours, shared responsibilities, no matter who has earned what, maybe Im just old fashioned.....

Melisandre_of_Asshai

I see where you are coming from, but he has his own stuff to pay, and I would rather clear it myself. The problem is trying to get them to accept what I can afford

HappyMJ

Melisandre_of_Asshai wrote: »

I see where you are coming from, but he has his own stuff to pay, and I would rather clear it myself. The problem is trying to get them to accept what I can afford

But you earn nothing so can afford nothing. How much are you proposing to take from the families child tax credit to pay your own bill? Shouldn't the child benefit and child tax credit be for the benefit of the children and not yourself? It's just as much your husbands child benefit and tax credit income as well. Does he give you any money to look after the children on top of this money? Normally as McKneff says once married and children are involved then all income into the house is split evenly no matter who earnt it or where it came from so half of his income is effectively yours to do with as you please.

antonia1

Melisandre_of_Asshai wrote: »

I see where you are coming from, but he has his own stuff to pay, and I would rather clear it myself. The problem is trying to get them to accept what I can afford

Perhaps you could tell them that you earn £0 and therefore they are actually entitled to take £0, but you have a unnamed relative (ie your husband) who is willing to help you out and pay £X per month towards the debt.