Money Matters: How to get support with your council tax bill
In this week’s Money Matters column, Wrekin’s Debt and Energy Manager Dan Bebbington explains whether you could be eligible for council tax discounts or support.
Council tax bills have gone up this month, as local authorities across the country struggle to keep up with the rising cost of services.
You should have received a letter setting out the new amount you’ll need to pay, which will differ depending on where you live and the council tax banding of your home.
Most bills for households in our area will have gone up by just under 5%.
There are however a number of schemes that can reduce council tax for certain households, depending on their circumstances.
The support councils can offer to people of state pension age is set out by the government, so will be the same wherever you live.
If you get the guarantee element of Pension Credit, you might not have to pay any council tax at all.
If you don’t get the guarantee element of Pension Credit but you are on a low income, and have savings and/or property worth less than £16,000, you could still be eligible for some support.
Council tax relief for working age people varies by area, depending on the scheme your local council has agreed upon.
Shropshire Council will give up to 80% council tax relief, depending on income. This rises to a full 100% reduction if the applicant is entitled to certain disability benefits or war pension.
Shropshire Council has opted to include child benefit as income, and unlike some councils, does not disregard any earnings. It also stipulates that any claim which would result in a discount of less than £1.50 per week (£78 a year) will be refused.
For more information and to apply, contact Shropshire Council by emailing benefits@shropshire.gov.uk or call 0345 678 9002. You can also check the council's website, www.shropshire.gov.uk.
Telford & Wrekin Council will award a discount of between 25 and 90%, based on your income and family circumstances.
The council also has a hardship assistance programme, decided on a case-by-case basis, which can cover the remainder. It is also open to people who do not qualify for the reduction scheme but who are struggling with their council tax bills.
You can apply by filling in a form on the council’s website, www.telford.gov.uk.
District and borough councils in Staffordshire will award up to 80% of the council tax charge for a Band D property, so if you’re in a higher band you won’t get 80% of what you actually pay.
The councils will award a full 100% discount to people claiming certain disability benefits, war widows and households with a child under five.
When calculating your discount, the councils have decided they will not include child benefit when calculating your income. A portion of any income through work will also be disregarded.
If you life in South Staffordshire, you can apply by filling in a form at www.sstaffs.gov.uk or calling 01902 696668.
If your local authority is Stafford Borough Council, you can find out more at www.staffordbc.gov.uk or by calling 01785 619478.
For Cannock Chase District Council, it’s www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk or 01543 464285.
Meanwhile Wolverhampton City Council will award up to a 78% discount for working age adults, based on your circumstances.
This rises to a maximum of 88% if you claim certain disability benefits for yourself or a child, or if you are a single person under 25 with no children.
For more information and to apply, go to www.wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 551166.
There are other ways your council tax bill could be reduced.
For example, most people pay their council tax in 10 instalments and have two months off, but you can ask your local council to spread it over 12 months if you prefer.
You may also be eligible for the single-person discount of 25%.
Full-time students, those classed as having a “severe mental impairment”, and live-in carers providing care for someone who is not their partner or child, are all eligible for a council tax exemption or discount.
To claim a discount based on some of these factors you might need medical evidence and to be claiming certain benefits.
If your home has been adapted for a disabled person, you can drop a council tax band. If your property is already in band A, you can have a 17% reduction instead.
For more information on what support is available in your area, contact your local council.
17th April 2024