Council Tax is paid by your local Council to help people on low incomes pay their Council Tax. You do not have to be getting any other benefits to qualify for help; it does not matter if you already get a discount for living alone. Savings over £16,000 usually mean you will not be able to get Council Tax and Benefits. A council tax benefit is a rebate for people on low incomes. Most people on Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance Income Based, Employment Support Allowance Income Related or Pension Credit Guarantee will qualify for full Council Tax benefit and would not pay.

To work out your Council Tax Benefit, the Council will look at:

• Money you and your partner have coming in, including earnings, some benefits and Tax credits and things like occupational pensions
• Your savings and your partner’s savings
• Your circumstances, such as your age, the ages and size of your family, whether you or any of your family are disabled.

How council tax works?

• The Council Tax system assumes that an average household has two adults and that between then they will be able to pay the Council Tax bill.
• A person living alone automatically qualifies (when claimed) for a 25% discount.
• When your Council looks at your household, only certain visible people are counted, if you fall into one of the groups of people who are classed as invisible it means that you could be paying less.

How much money can be given?

• Each local council is responsible for operating their own Council Tax benefit scheme so the amounts of benefit given across the country may vary.
• The amount of Council Tax benefit you will get depends on many factors, including:
  • Which benefits you receive.
  • Your age.
  • Your income.
  • Your savings.
  • Who you live with.
  • How much Council Tax you pay.
  • Pensioners still need to pay Council Tax, but may get a discount if they live alone, or depending on their situation be entitled to Council Tax benefit.
  • You may get more Council Tax benefit if you receive a disability or care taker benefit.

Who is eligible for council tax and benefit?

• If any individual is on low income and receiving other benefits can be entitled for council tax benefit.
• Council tax benefit can be claimed regardless of whether individual own home or live on rent or whether he is working or unemployed

How does an individual claim for council tax and benefits?

Local authorities run their own Council Tax benefit schemes so these differ from area to area, contact your local council for claiming it.