Council Tax Benefit - Help Needed

Funkymonkey_4

Due to unemployment I was granted full Council Tax benefit for the 2006/07 period. I started part-time employment on 2nd September 2006 but was still enligable to some benefit as was earning such a low amount. After loads of paperwork, I was eventually paid this reduced benefit allowance from 29th September.

On the 6th February, out of the blue, I received a Council Tax Reminder Notice for the sum of £46.46. I emailed on the 8th asking for a breakdown & having received no response, again on 23rd March. That same day I received a Court Summons from the Council asking for the increased sum of £59.46.

I decided to write the old fashioned way and this time included copies of my Council Tax benefit letter and JSA entitlement letter from 29th September 2006. Again, I stated that I don’t think I am liable for this bill and again I requested a reply as soon as possible.

4th April & STILL no response from the Council whatsoever. The date of the hearing is 17th April.

What Should I do now?

CIS

You need to speak to benefits and clarify with them the periods for which you got CTB and the periods. In my dept we often get these sort of problems where for one reason or another people haven't received 100% CTB or havent received it for the entire period that they believe they should.

IF you were covered, you then need to ask benefits to adjust the acct and then you need to speak to Council Tax and inform them, otherwise you need to make arrangements to pay the balance but most councils will still go for the liability order unless you clear the balance in full by the court date.

Funkymonkey_4

Thank you for that. What if I pay the original £46.46 for now and write to them again? Would I be able to claim it back at a later date if I prove my eligablity?

CIS

If your account is altered and your account then goes in to credit , you can claim it back but you need to get it paid before the court date to prevent the Liability Order being granted.

suelees1

I think it's extremely unreasonable the LA has added court costs particularly as you contacted them but which they failed to acknowledge or respond. This is something you need to take up with them and hopefully you will have kept a copy of your letters. If you pay the arrears before the hearing date they should consider quashing the costs. If not you need to apply to the court to ask them to remit the costs.

CIS

If not you need to apply to the court to ask them to remit the costs.

Theres no need to speak to the court. The costs are applied by the council to cover costs (the actual court charges are minimal) and they can withdraw them if they deem it suitable at any time.

suelees1

Minimal in our area is £60. I only suggested this in case the council refuse to withdraw or quash costs

CIS

the actual court charges are minimal

The cost I was referring to is the actual court charges, the costs charged by the council include the court charges + administration charges.