Council Tax Benefit

lukieboy96

I was just wondering how people are affected by Council Tax Benefit? Have you seen a change since last year with the amount you now have to pay?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

lukieboy96 wrote: »

I was just wondering how people are affected by Council Tax Benefit? Have you seen a change since last year with the amount you now have to pay?

Nobody receives Council Tax Benefit. It was scrapped last year.

Dippy1970

It's also a now a local scheme- meaning each council has decided on the specifics of their own CTRS. The one I work for have pretty much kept the old rules- many havn't. The words postcode lottery spring to mind...

lukieboy96

I was just thinking that with the 'Bedroom Tax' too, people are even worst off. Mine isn't a lot but doubled since last year.

A.Penny.Saved

Some? councils did manage to get some extra money from the government which meant that council tax last year for qualifying people was lowered so it was easier on many people on benefits. This year it really hits! Many people will have to not eat in order to pay the council tax because benefit is insufficient to cover the basics. So not only damp & freezing cold homes in winter but not being able to afford to eat.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

Some? councils did manage to get some extra money from the government which meant that council tax last year for qualifying people was lowered so it was easier on many people on benefits. This year it really hits! Many people will have to not eat in order to pay the council tax because benefit is insufficient to cover the basics. So not only damp & freezing cold homes in winter but not being able to afford to eat.

And the proliferation of food banks send the signal to the Government to cut more as 'The Big Society' will pick up the pieces.