New Council tax Award.

lukieboy96

Has anyone seen their council tax support change from last year? The amount I have to pay has doubled this year.

rogerblack

Council tax support has been localised, and each council can set their own policy - within limits.
Pensioners must be protected from the increases - but many people who were previously wholly subsidised now are not.
Check you're getting the single person discount - if applicable - and consider if you should ask to get your house band reassessed - if it seems likely that it's an overestimate (see the guides on this site).
Otherwise - yes - unfortunately, many peoples support has been drastically reduced.

A.Penny.Saved

Last year my council got a grant or payment which meant council tax to qualifying people was only about £18 for the year. This year it's considerable more. Most people are going to have to choose between eating and having a roof over their heads.

lukieboy96

Mine has gone up from £8 a month to £16. If you were just on JSA how do you survive? I am on other benefits and will be ok but I do worry about other people. I get the single person discount.

Own_My_Own

Last year my bill went from £676 a year to £1,152.
This year it has stayed the same. It has put real pressure on the household budget. I hate food shopping now, as I have to watch every single penny spent.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

lukieboy96 wrote: »

Mine has gone up from £8 a month to £16. If you were just on JSA how do you survive? I am on other benefits and will be ok but I do worry about other people. I get the single person discount.

The Governments answer is that it is your local Council who has done this so blame them.

Meanwhile the number of summonses issued rockets.

Almost-free

Mine has also doubled. All you can do is be very creative with the rest of your expenses and make every single penny count! There is always something you can cut back on or cut out completely.