Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support

Council tax benefit was abolished in April 2013 and a new local scheme was introduced known as Council Tax Support.

We adopted a Council Tax Support scheme following an initial consultation prior to the commencement of the scheme in April 2013 and a subsequent consultation was carried out in 2016.

The Council Tax Support scheme continues to align with the Housing Benefit scheme and the percentage reduction of support until 31 March 2022 is at 12% for claimants of working age. From 1 April 2022 there is no reduction in support for claimants of working age. For more information download a full copy of our current and previous Council Tax Support Schemes or contact 01200 425111.

Council Tax Support Fund 2023 - 2024

The Government has provided additional funding to Local Authorities to support the most vulnerable households in England:

Council Tax Support Fund guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What is the Council Tax Support Fund?

The Council Tax Support fund provides extra financial support to working age and pension age households who have been awarded Council Tax Support in 2023/24, the payment is awarded automatically so no application is needed.

The maximum award is £45.  The amount that is awarded depends on the amount of Council Tax liability that is outstanding following any discounts, exemptions, reliefs and any normal Council Tax Support that has been awarded. 

• If the outstanding amount is £45 or more, you will be awarded £45. 
• If the outstanding amount is less than £45, you will be awarded the amount that is outstanding. 
• If the outstanding amount is nil, no reduction to the Council Tax bill will be available – No cash alternative is available.

The award will be credited directly to your Council Tax bill 2023/24.  It will show on your bill separately; as ‘Additional Council Tax Support 2023’. If you qualify for the discretionary payment it will show ‘Discretionary Council Tax Support 2023’. 

Council Tax Support is comparable to Council Tax Benefit scheme but there are some slight differences which are listed below:

Working Age Customers

Our Council Tax Support scheme calculates entitlement in the same way as the previous Council Tax Benefit scheme with a 12% reduction applied for all claimants of working age until 31 March 2022. From 1 April 2022 there is no reduction for working age claimants.

Family Premium

No family premium will be awarded where an application for support is received on or after 1 April 2017 for new claims.

Backdating

The scheme introduces a maximum limit for backdating Council Tax Support claims up to 1 month.

Dependant Children

From April 2017 the dependant’s additions will be limited to a maximum of two. This will only affect households who have a third or subsequent child on or after 1 April 2017. There will be exceptions please contact us for further advice on 01200 425111.

Severe Disability Premium

If another person is paid Carers Allowance to look after a Council Tax Support claimant, then the Severe Disability Premium is not included when working out their needs (applicable amounts). The reason for this is that it avoids paying for the same care twice.

Employment Support Allowance

No work-related activity component will be awarded where the claimant or partner makes a new claim for Employment and Support Allowance on or after 1 April 2017.

If you are intending on leaving Great Britain for a period of more than 4 weeks (for example: to go on holiday or visit family overseas) you must let us know before you go because Council Tax Support cannot normally continue to be paid if you are going to be absent from Great Britain for more than 4 weeks. However, there are certain exceptions to this, so please contact Benefits on 01200 425111 or email  benefits@ribblevalley.gov.uk for further advice. 

Pensioner Age Customers

The old Council Tax Benefit scheme has been almost retained within our local support scheme and we have continued to protect pensioners, as prescribed by Central Government.