need some advice on council tax discount - apply as student or low earner

abbas5001

Hi all,

I am not sure what to do - what would work out best for me or indeed if there would be any saving at all.

Currently, i am on a low income working 16 hours per week and live with my mum (housewife and carer for my disabled younger brother), my middle brother (student) and my youngest brother (minor and disabled).

I receive council tax discount and pay £107 per month whereas previously i paid £190 when i received second adult rebate.

The council have sent me a letter to say they need to review it as part of their obligations. I have actually started a full time course last week but still work 16 hours per week but intend to leave this employment within 6 weeks.

Should i apply for the reduction as a student or just give my employment details?

DUTR

They don't ask for employment details, they ask how many qualifying adults are in the property.

merlin68

Normally your mum would get the council tax benefit and you would then pay the non dependent deduction.
How come your paying it all?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Who owns or rents the property? Your Mother is the person liable for Council Tax. She would be the person who receives any discount depending on the household composition.

abbas5001

I own the property. Last time they asked me for payslips and bank statements in order to work out if I was entitled to anything more than just second adult rebate

CIS

There is no choice - council tax support can only pay on any council tax which is left over after any council tax discounts or exemptions are applied.

pmlindyloo

CIS wrote: »

There is no choice - council tax support can only pay on any council tax which is left over after any council tax discounts or exemptions are applied.

So if the owner of the property is a student and she lives with non dependants then she gets the student discount (ie doesn't pay any council tax) and no one else has to pay it?

Have seen that non dependants are not liable for council tax but wondered how this worked as regards council tax assuming there are two people living in the property?

CIS

The owner will remain liable for council tax in this case (unless a joint owner is resident) as they have the highest legal interest.

Any discounts or reductions apply as normal - if there are non student residents (aged over 18) then a council tax student exemption would not apply, only a 25% disregard.