Basildon Council Tax Reduction Consultation 2020

Overview

Basildon Borough Council

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2021/2022

Background to the consultation

What is Council Tax Reduction?

Council Tax Reduction is help with Council Tax for working age residents on a low income.

The scheme is based on the following basic principles:

• Entitlement is based on a banded table which compares household income and the members of your household.
• Residents with over £6000 in savings are unable to claim.

What is Council Tax Support?

Council Tax Support is help with Council Tax for people of State Pension Age.

The basic principles of this scheme are:

• Entitlement is a means tested calculation, comparing a person’s needs against their income.
• Residents with over £16,000 in savings are unable to claim.
• Deductions for adults in the property who are not liable for Council Tax is a calculated based on their income.

What is this consultation about?

• Each year the Council has to decide whether to change the Council Tax Reduction scheme for working age residents in the Borough.
• Residents of pension age cannot be affected as they are protected from any restrictions by Central Government.
• From 1^st April 2021, the Council would like to consider a number of changes:
  1. Where an apprentice earns more than £195.01 but less than £300 per week and they are the only other adult in a property, they can be disregarded for Council Tax purposes for the term of their apprenticeship – to support single parents and school leavers into employment
  2. If Council Tax Reduction is in payment and a member of the household is disabled and in receipt of a disability benefit, the household will receive the maximum 75% Council Tax Reduction

Who could the outcome of this consultation affect?

• Residents who are of working age that currently receive Council Tax Reduction and live with an apprentice or a disabled household member.

Who will the outcome of this consultation ‘not’ affect?

• Residents of pension age will not be affected as they are protected from any restrictions by Central Government.
• Working age residents who currently claim Council Tax Reduction that don’t live with a disabled person or an apprentice.
• Residents who do not claim Council Tax Reduction or Council Tax Support.