Can 2nd adult get council tax help?

Camper2

My sister pays council tax and has just lost her tax reduction as her child has turned 20. This daughter says she can't pay her share as she is on an hourly paid contract and never gets a full weeks work - shop work so not well paid. My sister can't afford to subsidise her (she has 2 student children to assist - one living at home) and is on a zero hours contract herself, although better paid. Is the daughter entitled to a subsidy on her part of the council tax as she has a low income?

Very confused about the post April 2013 rules and not sure whether individual councils can make their own rules and refuse to help.

Camper2

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Second Adult Rebate was scrapped for working age claimants - except for pensioners whom the Government mollycoddles and protects from things like cuts in Council Tax Support, Bedroom Tax etc...

paddedjohn

Surely she can afford to give her Mum £5/£7 pound a week towards her living costs.

Camper2

Paddedjohn/HousingBenefitOfficer
Well that is clear enough - thanks for that. Now all my sister has to do is get her youngster to accept her responsibility and that might not be easy.

Why can employers offer full time jobs and then people wouldn't get into these situations!

pmlindyloo

IS it the single person's discount that your sister is losing?

poppasmurf_bewdley

Camper2 wrote: »

Now all my sister has to do is get her youngster to accept her responsibility and that might not be easy.

Then the answer is to say "There's the door". That's what I had to say to mine when the time came. They soon found out what it would cost to set up on their own.

Camper2

Lindyloo - I think you must be right, it must be single persons discount. Daughter was in education/unemployed until recently and so now my sister is liable for 100% ie two adults living on the premises. She will have to pay all of it herself or insist daughter pays - I know what I would do!

fluffymovie

Unfortunately , HBO isn't quite right. Second adult rebate has not been scrapped everywhere. My council still offer it under our council tax reduction scheme. Each council sets it's own rules so you'll need to check.

The other option is to contact the council tax department to see if they could waive any of the charge under their discretionary fund (under the local government finance act)

Camper2

Yes you are right Fluffymovie - I had a look at the Council policy document online (pages and pages!) but it does appear they will look to reduce the amount due if the second adult's earnings are below a threshold. Next step to apply to see whether she qualifies. She must pay the balance, of course.