Council tax benefit has changed

From 1 April, the government has replaced council tax benefit with a localised reduction scheme. Local council's will have a legal responsibility to implement this scheme.

The government are funding the new scheme based on a 10 per cent reduction of the council tax paid in 2011/12. In Hull the shortfall will be approximately £2.7 million for the financial year 2013/14.

As a consequence, we consulted on our proposed scheme during 2012 and the outcome is -

• working age customers will all need to pay an increase amount towards their bill, however people of pensionable age will not be affected by these changes
  
  
• second adult rebate will no longer be available for working age customers

How is the new scheme calculated

The new scheme is means tested using the same criteria that is used for council tax benefit and will be applied to your council tax bill to reduce the amount that you need to pay.

Under the council tax benefit scheme you could have been awarded up to 100 per cent of your council tax liability.

Under the council tax reduction scheme a person who has not reached the qualifying age for state pension credit can receive a maximum reduction of 91.5 per cent of their council tax liability. A person who has reached the qualifying age for state pension credit is still eligible to receive a maximum reduction of 100 per cent of their council tax liability.

Where a person is eligible for a maximum reduction of 91.5 per cent of their council tax liability, and their weekly charge is £17.50, the maximum council tax reduction they could receive is £16.02 per week. This means they will have to pay £1.48 per week.

Any discounts or exemptions are applied to the council tax liability before a reduction is determined.

Our council tax reduction scheme is available to download below - 

Change of circumstances

The information that was used to calculate a person’s council tax benefit was used to determine the reduction under the new scheme. If there has been a change of circumstances that may affect a reduction it is the council tax payers responsibility to inform us straight away by telephoning 01482 300 303, visiting a customer service centre or completing a change of circumstances form.

More information about change of circumstances