Council Tax Discount

M0ney

Hi All,

I'm hoping someone is able to help...

Soon I will be living with my long-term girlfriend and we are expecting a baby at the end of April. She will be a stay at home Mum and is not entitled to maternity pay, so she was told anyway after applying.

Anyway that was just a bit of background, my question is since I will be the only person living in the house with an income will we get a 25% discount on the council tax that we pay?

Also, if anyone knows of anything we will be able to claim from the government please let me know. I have never claimed anything from the state before so it's all a bit new and they don't make it easy for you to find out what you're entitled to.

Thanks!

seven-day-weekend

You can only claim the 25% discount if you are the only person living in the property (or you live with a full-time student).

Your girlfriend may be entitled to Child Benefit.

Meadows

There are only two of us in our house and one earner but we get no reductions.
Reductions apply when there is only one person living in the house.

A full Council Tax bill is based on 2 or more adults living in a household.
https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/working-out-your-council-tax

mazza111

It's all dependent on income. Is it a council house or private?

Things that spring to mind before April. Housing Benefit, Council tax benefit.

After the bubbah arrives, Working tax credits, child tax credits, child benefit. Again, dependent on income.

BigAunty

Use the Turn2us online benefit calculator to check your entitlements, now and after the baby is born.

Council tax benefit is currently based on household income and other factors, such as if there is only a single adult in the house.

In April in England, the councils will be setting their own discounts for CT and it will vary from place to place. If you are in England, check your local council website to understand how the reductions will change.

M0ney

Thanks everyone for the responses. We live in Scotland and I was thinking it might be the same rules as someone earning living with a student but it looks as though I'm wrong.

I'm lucky to have a relatively high annual income so I'm sure we'll only get the most basic government support but I want to get everything we're entitled to.

I really appreciate the suggestions.

M0ney

Sorry Mazza111, didn't answer your question it's a privately rented house.

paddedjohn

mazza111 wrote: »

It's all dependent on income. Is it a council house or private?

Things that spring to mind before April. Housing Benefit, Council tax benefit.

After the bubbah arrives, Working tax credits, child tax credits, child benefit. Again, dependent on income.

What difference does it make what type rental it is? Council tax still needs paying.

mazza111

paddedjohn wrote: »

What difference does it make what type rental it is? Council tax still needs paying.

It will then depend on the LHA for his area, rather than straight out housing benefit..

paddedjohn

mazza111 wrote: »

It will then depend on the LHA for his area, rather than straight out housing benefit..

Sorry can you explain more please as I don't understand. Are you saying that someone in private rent will have less entitlement to council tax benefit?

mazza111

paddedjohn wrote: »

Sorry can you explain more please as I don't understand. Are you saying that someone in private rent will have less entitlement to council tax benefit?

Did you read his whole question? It wasn't just about the 25% discount but about other benefits he could claim for...