Households may be eligible for discount on council tax bill
Labour's Emily Thornberry MP grilled on windfall tax policy
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Britons who are on low income or claim certain benefit payments could be eligible for the concession. People are able to claim the council tax discount if they own their home or rent, or are unemployed or working. However, whether or not someone gets 100 percent off their bill depends on their individual circumstances.
Every council runs their own discount scheme, which means applicants need to apply directly through their local authority.
This means that the size of discounts can vary depending on each individual council.
During the discount application process, a person’s life circumstances are taken into account to determine how much support they need.
Examples of what qualifies as individual circumstances include personal income, the number of children someone has, benefit payment and residency status.
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A household’s income includes any savings a council tax discount applicant has, as well as any pensions and the savings of their partner.
When applying for the concession, applicants must declare if their children or any other adults live with them.
To claim the council tax discount, households can enter their postcode into the Government’s online application page to get the contact details of their local authority.
It should be noted that there is a different yet similar scheme available for residents of Northern Ireland.
Someone will not be eligible for council tax if they have a health condition or impairment which is permanent.
If this applies to someone, they will need to have a doctor’s letter as evidence of how their condition affects them.
Furthermore, they will also need to be in receipt of at least one of the qualifying benefit payments to claim this support.
Examples of which DWP payments qualify someone for the council tax discount include:
- Universal Credit with limited capability for work or work-related activity
- Employment Support Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- The standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of PIP
- The middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance
James Gibson, financial advisor at Debt Support Centre, outlined why people should check their eligibility for the council tax discount as soon as possible.
Mr Gibson said: “Council tax is a priority bill which means it’s essential that you pay your council tax bills in full and on time.
“If you’re struggling with your council tax payments, you could be entitled to a council tax reduction.
“For example, if you’re on a low income or a single occupant of a household, you’re likely to be accepted for a reduction of 25 percent or more.”
Outside of the discount, certain households are also entitled to the £150 council tax rebate which is part of the Government’s plan to tackle the cost of living.
Families in council tax bands A to D are eligible for this support which does not need to be repaid at a later date.
Councils across England have started handing out this £150 rebate which is due to end on September 30.
For those who do not know which authority they are a part of, they can enter their postcode into the Government’s local council checker.
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