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Council tax benefit changes

From April 2013, if you are of working age and claim council tax benefit, the amount of support you receive will change.

The government is reducing the amount of money available to fund council tax benefit and asking local councils to run their own schemes.

So, even if you have not paid council tax previously you will have to start paying from 1 April 2013. Medway Council undertook a consultation in 2012 to consider a new local scheme.

FAQs - local council tax support  - 1 April 2013

What is happening?

The government is reducing the amount of money to fund Council Tax Benefit (CTB) and asking local councils to run their own schemes. So, from 1 April 2013 the current CTB scheme will be abolished and a new local support scheme introduced to replace it.

In recent years the amount of claims received for council tax benefit has increased and currently more than £19m is paid in council tax benefits. Currently CTB is funded in full by the government but this funding is being reduced. 

The government has stated that the local scheme must protect pensioners. This means that the working-age customers will be affected more.

Am I affected?

Anyone who is of working-age and currently claims CTB will be affected.

Am I protected?

If you are entitled to claim state pension credit you will be protected and will be no worse off under the changes. The local scheme also protects you if you are of working-age and receive a war widow or war disablement pension (and it is currently disregarded from the assessment of your benefit)

How will my council tax benefit change from 1 April 2013

Council tax benefit ends on 31 March 2013 and is replaced by a local discount. Maximum support for council tax support will be 75 per cent of a person’s council tax liability – this means that anyone who is not protected will need to pay something towards their council tax bill.

The amount of support provided to claimants is assessed after any reduction for discounts or exemptions.

Will I need to make a new claim for council tax support?

Any existing claims or those submitted before 1 April 2013 will be treated as claims under the new scheme. Anyone who applies for support on 1 April 2013 or after will be required to make a new claim, under the new scheme.

Who will be entitled to council tax support under the new scheme?

The new scheme is very similar to the council tax benefit scheme and aims to provide support to people on low incomes. The same rules regarding who is eligible to make a claim for support will apply.

What if I can’t pay – what help is there for people who struggle to pay?

We realise that these are challenging times for everyone. If you do not pay your council tax you will be subject to recovery proceedings. However, if you have claimed council tax support and are still struggling to pay your contribution you should contact our council tax collection team on 01634 332222 who will help you to make a suitable arrangement for repayment.

If you believe your case is exceptional you may apply to a hardship fund – phone 332222 to request details about the hardship fund process.

Council Tax scheme now adopted

On 24 January 2013 the scheme was adopted at Full Council.

To download the pdfs you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer, please use our advice page.

Tax benefit consultation (adopted 24 January 2013)

Take a look at Medway Council's proposed local council tax support scheme (pdf 115KB) to find out what the changes were. Download a Summary of changes (pdf 53KB).

The Cabinet considered the results of the consultation exercise on 27 November 2012 and asked officers to draw up a local council tax support scheme based upon the preferred scheme that was part of the consultation (decision number 189/2012).

On 18 December 2012, The Cabinet recommended the council tax support scheme to Full Council for adoption on 24 January 2013 (decision number 215/2012).

On 24 January 2013 the scheme was adopted at Full Council. 

Read the minutes of the council tax support scheme meeting

 

For more information contact Council Tax Collection Team by telephone: 01634 332222 or by email: info@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Council Tax Collection Team, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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