Guaranteed Pension credit and Council tax.

amistupid

I have an elderly disabled friend who since May last year has been in receipt of guaranteed pension credit. Someone mentioned to him that that this should exempt him from paying Council Tax.

I have done a few checks on the internet

If you get the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit, your income and capital are ignored and you will get full Council Tax Reduction.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction/council-tax-reduction-what-you-need-to-know/

He has contacted the council but they appear to be fobbing him off.

Can anyone give a definitive answer as to whether those in receipt of guaranteed pension credits are entitled to full Council Tax reduction?

If so,

A) How does he apply for the reduction?

Will he be able to get it backdated?

Alice_Holt

That is my understanding.

This is from Age UK:
"Here are 6 perks of claiming Pension Credit:

It’s unlikely you’ll have to pay Council Tax (unless other people live with you).
You’ll get free NHS dental treatment, and you can claim help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital.
You’ll get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 when the temperature is 0°C or below for 7 days in a row.
If you rent your home, you may get your rent paid in full by Housing Benefit.
If you own your home, you may be eligible for help with mortgage interest, ground rent and service charges.
If you’re a carer, you may get an extra amount known as Carer Premium, or Carer Addition if it’s paid with Pension Credit. This is worth up to £34.60 a week."

I suggest he speaks to the council again, take a copy of a DWP letter confirming the receipt of Guaranteed PC. There is likely to be form to complete - this sooner it is completed the quicker the discount scheme is put in place. Any more difficulties then raise it with his local councillor.

As to backdating:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction/council-tax-reduction-making-an-application/council-tax-reduction-backdating-an-application/

"If you're a pensioner and you're entitled to CTR, you can ask for your application to be backdated for up to three months. You don't have to give a reason for wanting your application backdated."

Smodlet

He should also be entitled to the one-off Winter Fuel Payment from the DWP (assuming it is still in place and has not been abolished by whatever government we get before the winter) and, if his energy provider is enrolled in the scheme, to the Warm Home Discount of £140.00. The WFP's amount depends on circumstances, for instance, single people get less than couples who are both entitled to Guaranteed Pension Credit.

If his energy provider is not part of the WHD scheme, it might well be worth suggesting he switch to one who is. The comparison tool on the Utilities board on here states which companies provide it and which do not.

I appreciate this digresses from your query but HTH.

pmlindyloo

Does your friend have any non dependents living with him?

xylophone

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS48_Pension_Credit_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true


"If you get PC you may also qualify for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.

Even if your income is too high for PC, you may still be entitled
to some help. See factsheet 17, Housing Benefit and factsheet 21 Council Tax, for more information

(in Wales see Age Cymru’s factsheet 21w, Council Tax in Wales)"

CIS

amistupid wrote: »

I have an elderly disabled friend who since May last year has been in receipt of guaranteed pension credit. Someone mentioned to him that that this should exempt him from paying Council Tax.

I have done a few checks on the internet

He has contacted the council but they appear to be fobbing him off.

Can anyone give a definitive answer as to whether those in receipt of guaranteed pension credits are entitled to full Council Tax reduction?

If so,

A) How does he apply for the reduction?

Will he be able to get it backdated?

There is no applicable exemption from council tax - if that's what he's asked for then they'll correctly answer no.

He needs to make it clear he's talking about Council Tax Reduction/Support (formerly Council Tax Benefit).

Craig

amistupid

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Does your friend have any non dependents living with him?

No he doesn't. He lives on his own.

CIS wrote: »

There is no applicable exemption from council tax - if that's what he's asked for then they'll correctly answer no.

He needs to make it clear he's talking about Council Tax Reduction (formerly Council Tax Benefit).

Craig

Thanks Craig exemption was the wrong word to use, I meant full Council Tax Reduction.

As stated according to the CAB site it seems that if someone is receiving guaranteed Pension Credit they should get a full Council Tax refund. I'm just trying to clarify whether this is the case or whether there are other conditions attached?

CIS

Thanks Craig exemption was the wrong word to use, I meant full Council Tax Reduction.

I only mention it as I worked with many people who wouldn't have the gumption to realise that CTR might be what they're after and pass them over the right team !.

Craig

tomtom256

They need to actually apply to the council to get it though, it's not automatic.

It's also dependant on the local scheme at your LA so best check online with them as not sure if all CTR Schemes fully cover CT liability.

xylophone

As he lives alone, he should at least be entitled to a 25% reduction.

As he is on a low income, means tested Council Tax Support might also be available.

In my area, the basic position seems to be that people under pension credit qualifying age are eligible for up to 75% support while those over PCQA are eligible for up to 100% support.

However, ( I've just checked this), my Council's information booklet on CTS runs to 221 pages - if the same is true of the OP's friend's LA's production, perhaps the clerk feared that he or the applicant would have dropped off the twig before he found the answer...:eek:

The OP's friend needs to telephone his council, explain that he is in receipt of Guarantee Pension Credit and ask how to apply for Council Tax Support.

pmlindyloo

I am blowed if I can find any detailed legislation about those receiving guarantee pension credit being entitled to full council tax reduction unless they are liable for non dependent deductions.

However, all my research through different councils confirm this.

I believe that those receiving GPC come under one of the protected rules that the government introduced when councils took over their own schemes.

It would be extremely helpful if someone who worked in this field would confirm one way or another.

The simplest way is to use the calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk to see if full council tax is awarded.

Mine does!