Council Tax Query

Peachteach31

Hi Everyone,

I was a student studying online via distance learning, and was recently informed by my previous LA in an email that I was not entitled to a discount, as online courses do not meet the criteria to qualify for one.

Please bear in mind that all council tax payments were paid while living in the borough.

However, I pointed it out to them that I was unemployed at the time and they have failed to take this into consideration when they replied to me.

Can I still appeal their decision on the basis that I was unemployed?

This is really stressing me out, as I think the LA may owe me some sort of a refund.

Any advice received would be greatly appreciated.

Caz3121

did you claim council tax benefit from the council whilst you were unemployed?

CIS

However, I pointed it out to them that I was unemployed at the time and they have failed to take this into consideration when they replied to me.

You have to claim council tax benefit, it won't be automatically awarded. There are time limits for claiming.

I was a student studying online via distance learning, and was recently informed by my previous LA in an email that I was not entitled to a discount, as online courses do not meet the criteria to qualify for one.

They may do, it depends on the circumstances. What was the course, when did you study it and how many hours was it ?.

Peachteach31

Hi Caz and CIS,

Thank you for your replies. To answer your questions yes, I did claim council tax benefit but they somehow would pay me and then sometimes would not.

I began studyng for an FdA in Criminal Justice with the University of Essex on the 12th of January 2010 and finished on 15th of September 2011 for 15 - 20 hours per week.

Just to let you know I moved into the property on the 31st of December 2009 and left on 29th of August 2011 with my family - husband worked 22 hours per week and I had small child at the time.

LA were informed of my family details, yet they still kept increasing council tax payments and ultimately we had no choice but to move out. I think the payments I have made must have amassed close to £800.

I am aware that it is heading towards two years but do I still have a case?

Thanks for listening.