Dirty_Den

Just a quick question, which hopefully can be answered on here without a phone call to the council.

Is council tax benefit means tested? I've got the paperwork to claim and one of the questions asks about any money I have in bank accounts etc. I assume that there's some kind of 'bands' involved if it is means tested?

Den

unclebuck

don't set me off on 'kin council tax again[img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

ProperCharlie

I don't think there's any means testing. AFAICR you can get a discount if you are a student or live alone. Can I get a discount if I tell them that the wife won't talk to me, I wonder?

Dirty_Den

Guys, I get a discount due to being a single occupant, but as I've recently been let go from my previous employer, I asked them to send me the paperwork as I'm no longer working.

I just wondered what the situation was when you were claiming a discount due to being unemployed.

Den

JohnMcC

Ive got to sort this out to - I did have a little booklet somewhere outlining the benefits.

If I can find it tonight I will post here, or if it is too long maybe scan it in or email it to you.

If I find it....

John





[Edited by JohnMcC - 2/6/2003 3:44:17 PM]

unclebuck

AFAIR - and it was a fair while ago - you don't pay it if you are unemployed.

Dirty_Den

John,

Thanks, if you have any info, it would be appreciated. If I don't have to pay it at all due to being made redundant (and believe me, I would much rather be working than not! ), I don't see how the money in my bank account is any of their business.

Den

JohnMcC

Just dug it out and it wasnt as helpful as I thought

25% discount for a single occupant but it doesnt explicitly mention those who are unemployed - but it does mention that those on low income 'may be entitled to Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit' but it says to contact them for more info.

I'm in the same boat - live on my own and I'm unemployed - finished an MSc just before Christmas and aint found a job yet - not a sniff

Roger The Cat the 2nd

if you have more than £16k in the bank you don't qualify also they will demand proof ie min 3 months bank statements so while it is non of their business they are calling the shots.

Its a bunch of ****

stevencotton

Oh .. I didn't know I could get money off being a single occupant, apart from the council whom I'm likely to shout at, where can I get info, anyone got a URL?

Cheers,
Steve.

druddle

I think you get about 45% off for single occupancy and they will backdate it if you have overpaid for a while, they did for me.

Dave

JohnMcC

Mine is www.bromley.gov.uk, so I presume you would just insert your council in that address instead of Bromley.

Theres probably a central one somewhere too....

JohnMcC

The leaflet for my council says : 'The full Council Tax bill assumes that there are two or more adults living in the dwelling. If only one adult lives in the dwelling or all but one of the adults are not counted, the bill will be reduced by 25%'

Can different councils vary that much - bw 25 and 45%?

stevencotton

A quick visit to East Herts District Councils site and it says I can get 25% off my council tax as long as I'm the only adult there, can't see much about being reimbursed for the past 10 months though, so sod it I'll give them a call

Cheers,
Steve.

druddle

I may be wrong its a bit foggy. My bill was 55 quid instead of just under 100.

That was with Bracknell Forest Borough Council. I had to prove that my cheating **** of an ex moved out (i made her change address on the voting register the day she left so that was easy) 8 months previously, but once i had, they said they could either reimburse me or alter my payments so i paid nothing until we were all square, which is what i did.

Dave

Dirty_Den

That's ok, I've only got £15,999.99 in the bank.

Seriously though, thanks for the info.

Den

albob

I think you have to be in receipt of 'income support' or
claiming 'jobs seekers allowance' to qualify for council tax
benefit. If you are receiving these, the benefit is 100%. savings
may make a difference.....

alan

Dirty_Den

Thanks Alan.

Den

Dirty_Den

Cheers for that link Alan.

Den

stephen30

When I was unemployed earlier this year, I got free council tax and housing benefit too. The housing benefit was worked out on the cost of the place etc. All I had to do was fill in some forms. I got them from the "job centre" when I initially signed on. As I lived on my own before that I got 25% off my council tax. Just give them a shout. At most it will cost you the price of a stamp.

Steve

albob

Den,
you might find this site handy (run by 'citizens advice')
www.adviceguide.org.uk

you can still get some benefit even if you are not claiming 'income support' or 'job seekers' - in this case its down to personal circumstances/savings. if in doubt 'claim'!!

alan

[Edited by albob - 2/7/2003 9:12:21 PM]