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Letter from council re council tax benefit

Bertie1981

Hello all,

So we're on UC, partner gets PIP (standard rate for both) and I get carers allowance. We have a 15 year old whos still at school, a 17 year old who's been in full time education (college) and a 22 yo who works full time.

Due to partner getting PIP, housing ben/council tax ben not been affected by Daughters earnings. However, we've had a letter today to say we've to basically pay full council tax.

Son is 17 and today is his last day at college as he starts a full time apprenticeship on Monday. I made a note of it on my UC journal on 1st October just to give them a heads up but couldn't report change of circumstances officially til today as it won't let you put a future date in.

I've had no messages on my UC journal re my housing element but got this letter today from CT regarding CT and saying we've to pay 70 odd quid a month for the remainder of the tax year.

Called them to ask what's going on and all systems are down both at council and housing, theyve no WiFi. Typical.

So I've to wait til Monday to get this sorted and I know I'm going to be stressing all weekend.

What will happen to rent etc? Will we still get help with rent via housing element or will we have to pay towards?

I did a couple of calculations on Turn 2 Us and Entitled to and put in that son no longer in full time Ed but it doesn't give you the option to tell them that he's starting a paid apprenticeship bla bla bla and they both come back as we'd still get CT and rent paid in full? But I'm not sure if this is correct now.

We're trying to get moved due to us qualifying for a bigger property as classed as overcrowded plus due to higher social and welfare needs as DD is a victim of DV and several threats have been made against us all. He's now at HMPs pleasure but due to be released next year so was trying to move before then. However all the 4 beds we've seen are with Housing Associations and the rents are a lot more so no sure now if housing element will cover it all etc.

I'm totally fed up.

Has anyone any advice please?

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Comments

Bertie1981

Thank you for your reply. I've always had a bit of council tax to pay but I got a shock when this letter dropped through the door saying we've to pay 74 a month for Nov through to March.

They've calculated this from 1st October. It shows how much CT support I've had up til that date then how much I've paid in direct debits. I've got 300 and odd left to pay for the tax year now as opposed to what I was paying before.

It's more the rent side of things I was worried about if I'm honest - if we're offered another property could we even afford it etc.

I don't take any board off my DD as her ex got her into serious debt and absolutely obliterated her credit score because he was applying for credit in her name for cars and car finance.. Don't ask 🤦🏽‍♀️

Will this also affect my transitional protection when I lose my sons part of child element? I've read somewherei it does?

Meg24

Is the letter for you specifically in response to your change of circumstances? My council has just changed the minimum contribution from 20% to 30%, so everyone has to pay more money. They are considering putting it up to 40 or 50% from next year so I've no doubt others will follow in time.

Bertie1981

Hiya, it's due to a change of circumstances it says x

poppy123456

The child element ending for your son will not affect your Transitional Protection. (TP) it's difficult to advise with CTR because all local Authorities have their own rules.

Bertie1981

Ahh right that's good to know, thank you. It's all a bit strange to me all this UC credit stuff, not going to lie. Can be quite confusing at times.

Also, we're still waiting on partners letter about a WCA. UC50 forms had to be back by 16th September. I've been told that sometimes they don't ask you to attend an assessment but then I've been told that actually they do and everyone who's filled in a UC50 has to attend? Partner is backwards and forward to hospital about his eyes at the moment, what happens if they ask him to attend on a day he can't make it. Can we ask to change the appointment?

poppy123456

Most people have assessments which are mostly by telephone. If an assessment is needed and it's face to face he can change it to telephone. Please be aware that an appointment can only be changed once.

Paper based assessments are possible if there's enough of information to write the report.

Bertie1981

Right, get you, thank you.

We sent in a list of all his significant medical history in a print out from GP (eye issues, RA, operations etc) AND a list of all his meds and stuff he can't take because of gutter complications.

Bertie1981

Other* not gutter lol, stupid phone 🥴

jim100

Hi just recently moved to UC from old LB and first 2 months ok but just received a regular yearly council tax letter which for years has always said I don't pay because off my medical issues, but this one says I have to pay £24 a month now for next 12 months . 🤷 Is this normal ? I get pip high L and S mobility and esa lcwra if it's true then I don't mind doing my bit , just always receive these letters on Saturday 🤦

Kimi87

Every council runs a different scheme for Council Tax Reduction, so it's very hard to advise on individual cases from here.

Some local areas do treat UC differently to legacy benefits.

Councils can also change the level of help given.

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