Can anybody help? Working Tax Credits and paying council tax

gc123

I have dispraxia depression I have just gone back to work and am claiming working tax I work 16 hour a week my local council are now saying I have to pay full council tax and rent is this correct I do accept I should pay something to wards my rent but it feels like I'm being penalized for going to work

Sam_Alumni

Hi @gc123 welcome to the community, I have moved your post to the ask a benefits advisor section so I hope you will get some information soon.

Markmywords

Hello @gc123,

It comes down to the terms of your rental agreement. If it says you pay the Council Tax separately then the council is right I'm afraid.

However, you can check the rules here.as there are a few discounts.

Also, you can ask your council if you qualify for their Council Tax Reduction scheme.

BenefitsTrainingCo

gc123,

If you were previously on income-related benefits and now you are working, then  I would expect that you would get less towards your rent and less towards your council tax, but I can't say for certain whether paying full rent and council tax is correct - it will depend on many factors including your wages. Make sure that you have in fact got a valid claim for council tax reduction and housing benefit (if you were already claiming, and haven't moved, then going into work is a change of circumstances and you shouldn't have to claim again).

You should have got an extended payment where you got your previous level of housing benefit and council tax reduction for four weeks after your income-related benefit (for example, income-related employment and support allowance) stopped because you went into work.

Housing benefit is worked out according to your circumstances and income. Council tax reduction has a similar calculation, but it varies depending on your local authority. For the council tax, I agree with Markmywords - it's a good idea to check first that they've got your bill right BEFORE the council tax reduction is applied. For example, have they correctly given you the 25% discount if you live alone?

You could check your housing benefit and council tax reduction on the website turn2us, where there is a benefits calculator. It does take a while to fill in but if you know your postcode, your rent and your council tax band you should be able to get an indication of the amount of help to expect, if any.

Alternatively, you might want to ask for advice locally, for example there may be a disability information service in your area (check the council's website), or you could try the CAB.

Will