Council Tax & PIP query

Mickpeasoup

Hi guys,

Here's the situation; My partner was claiming UC with 2 children. 

I've recently been released from prison & moved back in with her.

I've made a joint UC claim, linked up, & the DWP reinstated my PIP payments straight away.

I'm in receipt of PIP enhanced daily living, and standard mobility.

Council tax asked my partner to send the change of circumstances in an eMail, and a revised bill has been sent that's about twice the cost of hers.

Am I mistaken, or am I entitled to a Council Tax reduction when getting PIP?

Many thanks.

Alice_Holt

That doesn't sound right, even though she will lose the single persons discount.
Is the council tax in joint names?
As you have a joint UC claim then I would expect you would be entitled to Council Tax reduction (CTr).
PIP can reduce (or negate) any residual CT payable after CTr:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/extra-help-pip-entitles-you-to/#:~:text=If you get PIP you,called a PIP award notice.

Each LA has its own version of CTr.
I would ask for a full breakdown of the CTr applied, and perhaps ask your local advice charity to help check it.

poppy12345

Make sure you ask for the "carers discount" This basically means that your partner will be disregarded so that the 25% discount will still apply. I applied for this when my daughter left full time education in January and was successfully awarded it a couple of weeks later. Details here. Scroll down to discounts.. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-household-finances/council-tax-rate-relief

Loza2016

poppy12345 said:

Make sure you ask for the "carers discount" This basically means that your partner will be disregarded so that the 25% discount will still apply. I applied for this when my daughter left full time education in January and was successfully awarded it a couple of weeks later. Details here. Scroll down to discounts.. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-household-finances/council-tax-rate-relief

Sorry if I have miss understood the link but I take it that the carer can’t be the persons spouse? So carer discount wouldn’t apply in OP circumstances 

calcotti

Sounds to me as if the council may have issued an updated CT bill with the single person discount removed but not yet updated the CTR applicable.
On the old bill it will say total due, 25% discount and CTR applied (or words to that effect).
The new bill will show total and CTR applied. 
Compare the CTR amounts, I would expect (based on the limited information) that the CTR amount on the new bill would be higher than on the old bill.

The CT team and the benefits team in the local authority are separate so the CT team will issue a bill based on the information they have. When they get revised information from the benefits team they will update the bill. In most cases the benefits team will work from information supplied to them by UC. However, if she hasn't done so, it may be sensible for your partner to inform the benefits team that there has been a change of circumstances.

poppy12345

Loza2016 said:

poppy12345 said:

Make sure you ask for the "carers discount" This basically means that your partner will be disregarded so that the 25% discount will still apply. I applied for this when my daughter left full time education in January and was successfully awarded it a couple of weeks later. Details here. Scroll down to discounts.. https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/financial-support/help-with-household-finances/council-tax-rate-relief

Sorry if I have miss understood the link but I take it that the carer can’t be the persons spouse? So carer discount wouldn’t apply in OP circumstances 

You are correct, i totally overlooked that it was the OP's partner.

Mickpeasoup

Thank you for the replies, guys.

For some reason, even though she's reported the changes, told them of the recent joint claim, & that I'm in receipt of PIP, the revised council tax bill is only addressed to her.

Before I went to prison, I'm sure I recall both of our names being on the council tax bills.

We get our first "joint claim" payment on circa 20th April, so maybe that's going to be the best time to look further into things.

calcotti

Mickpeasoup said: For some reason, even though she's reported the changes, told them of the recent joint claim, & that I'm in receipt of PIP, the revised council tax bill is only addressed to her.

The council tax bill will not be changed to joint names unless requested. Although they know you are living as partners they don't know who owns the house, is the tenant etc.