Council Tax Benefit for Owner/Occupiers
Owner/Occupiers can get help to pay their Council Tax bill through the Council Tax Benefit scheme.
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What is Council Tax Benefit?
Council Tax Benefit can help people who are on a low income, sick, or retired, by reducing the amount of council tax they have to pay.
Who can claim?
Anyone who is liable to pay council tax is entitled to make a claim for Council Tax Benefit.
Making a claim for Council Tax Benefit?
We can help with paying your council tax if you are the person responsible for payment and you are on a low income.
We've made the process simpler
Basildon District Council Benefits Section now has a paperless claims process. a claim is made by telephone and one of our trained advisors will guide you through the questions and answers. Please don't worry as you will not be paying for the call, because once you, or someone on your behalf, have asked to make a claim and we have your contact details, we will ring you back at an arranged time.
What happens next?
All claims for benefit need to have proof to go with them. When we call you to complete the claim our advisor will tell you what we need to see and arrange an appointment for one of our officers to visit you at home. This officer will copy the proof and ask you to sign the claim. It's that simple. You may have someone there with you if you wish and the appointment time will be made for a convenient time for all.
When will I hear?
We have found that by using this method, the claims processed in this way can be done much faster. You should usually expect to hear from us within one week of the completion visit. This is provided you were able to supply all the proof we need. In a small number of cases it may take longer if there are other additional checks to be made.
How do I contact you?
To make your claim please ring our Benefits Helpline on 01268 294575 tell us you want to claim and leave the contact telephone number.
How is the benefit calculated?
The following factors are considered when assessing how much council tax benefit a claimant is entitled to.
- How much income is received
- How much is held in savings/capital
- Personal circumstances (e.g. age, dependant children, sickness or disabilities)
- The income and circumstances of any other adults living in the household
- The amount of council tax that is liable to be paid, and the valuation band the property is in
| What about savings/capital? |
Currently the maximum amount that can be held in savings/capital is £16,000. This figure is for a single person or per couple. To calculate a total savings/capital figure the council will include:-
- Bank, building society and post office account balances
- Stocks, shares, National Savings Certificates and Premium Bonds
- Property, cash, lump sums such as redundancy payments
- Any other money available to the claimant or partner
If the total amount of all the capital is over £6,000 (but less than £16,000) a 'TARIFF INCOME' will be taken into account. This is a set formula that is used. The first £6,000 is ignored, then for every £250 or part thereof, £1 per week is added to the income figure used to calculate the benefit.
For example, if there is £7,000 held in capital the claimant will be treated as having an additional £4 per week income, if there is £7,001 a tariff income of £5 per week will be used.
For any claim where either the claimant or their partner are aged 60 or over, the first £6,000 is ignored and a tariff income of £1 for every £500 over £6,000 is added to the income figure used to calculate the benefit.
How much benefit will be paid?
The maximum amount of benefit that can be paid is 100% of the council tax bill. If there are other adults living in the property this could reduce the benefit entitlement - see leaflet 'Non-Dependant Deductions'.
If the only adults living in the property are the claimant (and partner if applicable) and they receive Income Support, or Jobseekers Allowance (income based) then the maximum benefit (100%) of the bill is usually paid if it is claimed.
Where the council tax charge has already been reduced (e.g. single householder discount or disability reduction) the council tax benefit will be calculated on the reduced charge, net of any other reductions.
How is the benefit paid?
The council tax bill will be reduced by the amount of benefit that has been awarded. The council has to assess the claim using the information available at the time. A new council tax bill will be sent with the council tax benefit projected over the year. However if circumstances change, this benefit will need to be re-calculated, and another bill sent for a greater or lesser amount. This will happen each time a claim is reviewed or circumstances change.
Changes of circumstances
It is important that the council is told immediately if any information on a claim for council tax benefit changes.
Remember - The Department for Work and Pensions (Benefits Agency) and Jobcentre Plus are a separate body and advising them of the changes is not enough. the council must also be told.
Changes that may affect benefit entitlement
- Income Support starting or stopping
- Somebody moving in or out of the household
- Starting or stopping paid employment
- A member of the household being in hospital for more than 52 weeks
- A change in income such as a pay rise/cut, a change in benefits or tax credits
- A member of the household being awarded with a disability benefit such as Attendance Allowance
- A change in the rent (private tenants)
- A change in the amount of savings/capital that you have
Note
If too much benefit is paid because of a failure to notify a change in circumstances, the council will ask for this money to be repaid.
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