MSE's Council Tax Discounts guide

Albermarle

In your follow-up comment about a link to the disability forum, where are you proposing that this goes?

Disability money matters — MoneySavingExpert Forum

YorkHawk

I am a single adult household and have one child at University and a second sitting A-levels this summer (turned 18 in March).  My council has informed me that I will loose my single adult 25% discount in July (when his A-level course ends) despite expectations that he will go onto University in September.  It seems ridiculous that he doesn't count as being in full-time education over the summer holidays as he is progressing from one full-time educational establishment to another (both >21hours/week).  It's not as if he is in a position to apply for a full-time, permanent job and feels like single parents are being targeted.  I can't find anything on gov.uk to find out if they can do this.  Any advice?

lincroft1710

YorkHawk said:

I am a single adult household and have one child at University and a second sitting A-levels this summer (turned 18 in March).  My council has informed me that I will loose my single adult 25% discount in July (when his A-level course ends) despite expectations that he will go onto University in September.  It seems ridiculous that he doesn't count as being in full-time education over the summer holidays as he is progressing from one full-time educational establishment to another (both >21hours/week).  It's not as if he is in a position to apply for a full-time, permanent job and feels like single parents are being targeted.  I can't find anything on gov.uk to find out if they can do this.  Any advice?

I think the council may be correct in removing the SPD allowance when your adult child ceases full time education in July. as they no longer qualify for the student disregard as they are no longer a student. Obviously if they do go to uni then if full time you will be able to claim SPD again when their course starts.


But please note this is not my area of CT expertise and you may wish to seek further advice. I would doubt that this is first time something like this has happened, so there may be some guidance on a single parent website

harpee

YorkHawk said:

I am a single adult household and have one child at University and a second sitting A-levels this summer (turned 18 in March).  My council has informed me that I will loose my single adult 25% discount in July (when his A-level course ends) despite expectations that he will go onto University in September.  It seems ridiculous that he doesn't count as being in full-time education over the summer holidays as he is progressing from one full-time educational establishment to another (both >21hours/week).  It's not as if he is in a position to apply for a full-time, permanent job and feels like single parents are being targeted.  I can't find anything on gov.uk to find out if they can do this.  Any advice?

School/college leavers aged under 20 are disregarded until 1st November if they left education between 30th April and 1st November. This is the case regardless of whether or not they go to university that year. If your council dispute this point them to SI 1992/552 The Council Tax (additional provisions for discount disregards) Regulations 1992

TeenyB

Hi, being on benefits OR a low income is often brought up as being able to claim reductions but there is not anything anywhere to state what constitutes a low income.  Can you help?

eskbanker

TeenyB said:

Hi, being on benefits OR a low income is often brought up as being able to claim reductions but there is not anything anywhere to state what constitutes a low income.  Can you help?

There isn't a national definition as it's council-specific, so you need to check what your own council's definition is:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/council-tax/check-if-you-can-pay-less-council-tax/
https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction

witchone

Don't forget if your PIP comes up for review and you fail to get it,  your live in carer then has to pay  council tax whilst you appeal. If you don't win the appeal, your carer carries on paying.