If you are on a low income, whether you are working or not, and need help to pay your Council Tax bill, you may be able to get Council Tax Reduction/Council Tax Benefit.
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Making a claim for Council Tax Reduction from 1st April 2013
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Making a claim for Council Tax Benefit prior to 1st April 2013
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Am I eligible – find out online?
Council Tax Reduction - New Claim
From April 1st 2013, the UK Government is replacing Council Tax Benefit with a new discount scheme. This is called 'The Council Tax Reduction' scheme.
If you are in receipt of Council Tax Benefit currently, you will be automatically transferred to the Council Tax Reduction scheme and so will not have to apply for this.
If you are making a new claim from the 1st April 2013 for assistance with Council Tax then you will be making an application under Council Tax Reduction scheme regulations. In this scheme, we are still required to confirm your income and capital and so these details should be provided you’re your application.
If you are making a claim for backdated Benefit (please see our section entitled Council Tax Benefit / Council Tax Reduction – Backdating)| then you may be considered under two sets of regulations. Again, we urge that you provide evidence of income and capital to cover the full period of your requested claim period.
Under the new scheme Second Adult Rebate has been abolished. Second Adult Rebate was previously available to help people who did not qualify for Council Tax Benefit based on their own circumstances but shared their home with another adult on a low income. The rebate was calculated based on the circumstances of the other adult.
Council Tax Benefit - New Claim
You may get Council Tax Benefit if you are liable to pay Council Tax and your income and capital (savings and investments) are below a certain level. You could qualify if you are out of work, or in work and earning a wage.
Second Adult Rebate
You may get Second Adult Rebate if the person you share your home with is:
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not your partner or civil partner
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aged 18 or over
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not paying you rent
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not paying Council Tax themselves
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on a low income
If you have savings of over £16,000 you can’t normally get Council Tax Benefit, unless you are getting the ‘guarantee credit’ of Pension Credit.
Your income and savings will not affect Second Adult Rebate. Second Adult Rebate is based on the other person’s circumstances.
How much do you get?
To work out your Council Tax Benefit, we will look at:
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money you and your partner or civil partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and tax credits and things like occupational pensions.
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your savings and your partner’s or civil partner’s savings
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your circumstances: for example your age, the size of your family and their ages and if you or any of your family are disabled.
The most Council Tax Benefit you can get is 100% of your Council Tax.
If you are entitled to Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the ‘guarantee credit’ of Pension Credit you could get maximum help with your Council Tax.
The most Second Adult Rebate you can get is 25% of your Council Tax.
Am I eligible – find out online?
Benefits On-line Calculator
You can find out if you are eligible to claim Housing benefits or Council Tax benefit by using our Online Benefits Calculator
Useful Link
To find out what other benefits you may be entitled to click on the Directgov website|.
Contact Information
Telephone: 01443 425002
Fax: 01443 680661
Minicom: 01443 425015
Email: HousingBenefitEnquiries@rctcbc.gov.uk|
Address
Housing Benefits
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Bronwydd House
Porth
CF39 9DL
Or one of our One 4 All Centres|