Council Tax Reduction Mistake

LocalLibrary61

I recently applied for a reduction in my Council Tax as I'm unemployed and on universal credit. I live in a private rented house with another tenant who is also on UC and yesterday I was trying to help them apply for council tax reduction as well. When filling out the form I came to the question "Do you live with any non-dependents (other tenants etc.)" and realised that on my original form I think I actually accidentally said no to this question when I should have said yes. It seems like when you say yes to the question, another section appears requiring the details of the other person you live with, and as I do not recognise this section, I do think I accidentally filled out the form incorrectly. As I filled out the form wrong, I think I've received the incorrect amount of council tax help, possible more than I should have received.

Now I know I need to change my claim but I'm worried about what the council will say. I'm worried they'll make it seem like I've defrauded the council when I just made a mistake on my form. Whilst the initial form is online, the only way to change an already active claim is to call them on the phone, so I need to work out the correct thing to say first.
Ideally I think the best case scenario is if I call them, explain the mistake, maybe get them to cancel my claim so I can redo it correctly this time and set up some kind of payment plan to payback any incorrectly discounted council tax (it's only been one month of council tax reduction so I don't think this will be a lot, but it certainly needs to be rectified before the next council tax payment).

My question for the forum is to ask if anyone here has had a similar experience and how exactly I should approach this matter over the phone.

Blancmang25

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6655907/council-tax-reduction-mistake

If you are both joint tenants then the council tax should be in both names as you are both liable.

Check your council tax reduction award letter and see if they have actually calculated the award on 50% of the council tax. If this is the case then the claim has been correctly calculated

I would also contact the council and let them know you think you have completed the form incorrectly and can then check the award to put your mind at rest.

TimeLord1

Yep, phone them ASAP and explain you made a clerical error when completing the form and you need it updated; you may be sent a new form to respond to.