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11/01/2005
Campaign launched to improve uptake of council tax benefit
The Government has launched a campaign encouraging pensioners in England, Scotland and Wales to check if they are paying too much council tax.
Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.'
Government figures show that pensioners are missing out on an average £426 in benefits payments towards their council tax bills and four out of ten pensioners fail to apply for Council Tax Benefit as £750 million pounds goes unclaimed by pensioners each year. Additionally, less than half of all homeowners, many of whom are pensioners, are claiming the money to which they are entitled.
Some pensioners are missing out on a 100% rebate, on top of which they may be due arrears back to last January, bringing a possible extra cash windfall.
Council Tax Benefit Minister Chris Pond said: "My message to pensioners is don't pay more than you need to. If you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit, I want you to get every penny owed."
Mr Pond said that it was crucial that central and local government and voluntary organisations worked together to "ensure that pensioners get the money they deserve".
"Claiming is easier than ever; we've made the claim form shorter and new rules mean once you’ve successfully applied for Council Tax Benefit you don’t have to re-apply every year," he said.
Cllr Sir Jeremy Beecham, vice chair of the Local Government Association, said: “We know council tax impacts on low income groups the hardest and benefit is a way of reducing that tax."
Stressing that the benefit was not "a handout", Sir Jeremy added: “Although the LGA looks to the longer term solution of local government financial reform, encouraging and supporting vulnerable groups to claim the benefit they are owed is something both local and central government can help to deliver now. As such this latest campaign cannot come soon enough and I know local councils will continue to do all they can to support it.”
Raising awareness of Council Tax Benefit, flyers, leaflets and posters are to be made available to over 20,000 organisations that deal with older people and to all local councils in England, Scotland and Wales.
(GB)
Adverts in the national press carry the message 'cut your council tax – find out if you should be paying less.'
Government figures show that pensioners are missing out on an average £426 in benefits payments towards their council tax bills and four out of ten pensioners fail to apply for Council Tax Benefit as £750 million pounds goes unclaimed by pensioners each year. Additionally, less than half of all homeowners, many of whom are pensioners, are claiming the money to which they are entitled.
Some pensioners are missing out on a 100% rebate, on top of which they may be due arrears back to last January, bringing a possible extra cash windfall.
Council Tax Benefit Minister Chris Pond said: "My message to pensioners is don't pay more than you need to. If you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit, I want you to get every penny owed."
Mr Pond said that it was crucial that central and local government and voluntary organisations worked together to "ensure that pensioners get the money they deserve".
"Claiming is easier than ever; we've made the claim form shorter and new rules mean once you’ve successfully applied for Council Tax Benefit you don’t have to re-apply every year," he said.
Cllr Sir Jeremy Beecham, vice chair of the Local Government Association, said: “We know council tax impacts on low income groups the hardest and benefit is a way of reducing that tax."
Stressing that the benefit was not "a handout", Sir Jeremy added: “Although the LGA looks to the longer term solution of local government financial reform, encouraging and supporting vulnerable groups to claim the benefit they are owed is something both local and central government can help to deliver now. As such this latest campaign cannot come soon enough and I know local councils will continue to do all they can to support it.”
Raising awareness of Council Tax Benefit, flyers, leaflets and posters are to be made available to over 20,000 organisations that deal with older people and to all local councils in England, Scotland and Wales.
(GB)
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18 September 2003
Charity groups demand reform of council tax charges
Help the Aged and The Royal British Legion have joined forces today to demand a reform of council tax and Council Tax Benefit. The two charities say that "annual inflation-busting" increases in council tax "unfairly discriminate" against older people, whose incomes tend to be fixed or linked to inflation.
Charity groups demand reform of council tax charges
Help the Aged and The Royal British Legion have joined forces today to demand a reform of council tax and Council Tax Benefit. The two charities say that "annual inflation-busting" increases in council tax "unfairly discriminate" against older people, whose incomes tend to be fixed or linked to inflation.
21 March 2007
Council tax report recommends changes
People living in the most expensive properties in England should pay more council tax, a report has recommended.
Council tax report recommends changes
People living in the most expensive properties in England should pay more council tax, a report has recommended.
31 March 2005
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.
20 April 2005
Tories & Lib Dems launch council tax plans
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have both unveiled plans to tackle council tax. The Conservatives have pledged to cancel Labour’s planned revaluation of homes in England for the council tax.
Tories & Lib Dems launch council tax plans
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have both unveiled plans to tackle council tax. The Conservatives have pledged to cancel Labour’s planned revaluation of homes in England for the council tax.
12 August 2013
Final Round Of Benefit Caps Begins
The final round of benefit caps that have seen benefit claims restricted to £500 a week for couples and those with children and £350 for single people is to come into effect today, in those council areas affected by the scheme.
Final Round Of Benefit Caps Begins
The final round of benefit caps that have seen benefit claims restricted to £500 a week for couples and those with children and £350 for single people is to come into effect today, in those council areas affected by the scheme.
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