Brentwood Borough Council, Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2021/22

Overview

What is Council Tax Reduction, and Council Tax Support?

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.

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.

Why We Are Consulting

• 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 changing their scheme by making the following amendment,

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 partially disregarded for Council Tax purposes for the term of their apprentiship – to support single parents and school leavers into employment

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.