As part of the changes brought about by both the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and the Local Government Finance Act 2012, Council Tax Benefit is being abolished.
If after reading the information below you think you are going to be affected and would like more information please get in touch with me by email or phone. Alternatively you can call the Rethink Mental Illness Advice and Information Service on 0300 5000 927.
Each local authority has been tasked with devising their own replacement for the benefit which will be known as Council Tax Support. Money will be provided from central Government to run the scheme however it will be 10% less than is currently provided.
What could this mean for me?
As they are all getting less money than previously, all councils will be trying to save money and so will be looking at different ways they could do this.
A number of local authorities have already stated that they will charge everyone of working age some council tax even if under the previous system the person would have been entitled to full Council Tax Benefit and therefore didn‟t have to make a contribution.
Others may change the thresholds for capital and savings when assessing for Council Tax Support so people who have less than £16,000 which would have seen them eligible for Council Tax Benefit may have to pay something or more towards their council tax bill.
Others may change the way that income is viewed when calculating how much support is available. For example, in the current system there are certain benefits that are ignored. In the new system these benefits may be taken into account as income and therefore impact on how much Council Tax Support is available.
Is this affecting everyone?
These changes should only affect working age claimants.
Anyone who has reached the Pension Credit qualifying age will get the same entitlement as they do under the current Council Tax Benefit rules.
When is this happening?
April 2013
How can I find out what is happening in my area?
You may have already been contacted by your local council to advise about the changes and ask for your opinion on any new scheme they are thinking of implementing.
If you have access to the internet you can check either the outcome of any consultation your local council has held or what system they have decided to implement by searching for your particular local authority on this website: http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/toolkit/council_tax_support#England
If you do not have access to the internet you could telephone your local council and ask to be put through to the team who can advise you on the new Council Tax Support scheme in your area.
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