IMPORTANT CHANGES WHICH MAY AFFECT YOU

new pound stack The government is scrapping Council Tax Benefit. That means from 1st April 2013 we’re introducing a new Council Tax Support Scheme which will help people pay towards their Council Tax bills.

Pensioners

Pensioners are protected under the new scheme – so any pensioner who currently gets Council Tax Benefit will see no change in the help they receive.

But if you’re aged between 18 and 61 the amount you receive could well change.

From 1st April 2013, for working age claimants:

1. The most support you’ll be able to get is up to 80% of your total bill

2. If your property is in Band E, F, G or H then the most you’ll be able to claim for is the equivalent of 80% of a Band D property.

3. Child Benefit will now be included as part of your income.

4. If someone over the age of 18 lives with you and they’re not your partner, you’ll have to pay £5 a week if they’re not working – or £10 if they are working.

5. The first £25 of your earnings won’t be taken into account when calculating your benefits.

Protected Groups

1. If you get Severe Disability Premium then the support you receive to pay your Council Tax won’t change.

2. If you have a child under the age of 5 living in the house then the support you receive to pay your Council Tax won’t change.

3. If you are a war widow or receive a war disablement pension then the support you receive to pay your Council Tax won’t change.

Struggling to pay your Council Tax?

Call us on 01902 696664
Visit us: Monday–Friday, 8.45am – 5pm.
Email us: taxation@sstaffs.gov.uk

Members approved the Council Tax Support scheme at its Full Council Meeting on 15th January 2013. The full policy document is made available here, together with the equality impact assessment that has been undertaken during the process of designing the final scheme.