The Government has announced that from 1 April 2013 it will be abolishing Council Tax benefit in its current form. Instead, all Councils will need to create and run a local Council Tax support scheme. The Government has also announced that from April 2013 Councils can change discounts and exemptions given for Council Tax. These changes mainly affect empty properties and 'second homes'.
Dover District Council has been consulting on a proposed local Council Tax support scheme since July. This scheme aims to reduce the impact on benefit customers by removing some Council Tax discounts and exemptions.
The main proposals are to:
- Reduce working age Council Tax benefit awards by between 5% and 6%
- Remove the Council Tax discount for 'second home' owners (currently 10%)
- Remove the Council Tax exemption for empty and unfurnished properties (currently 100%)
- Discontinue second adult rebate for working age claimants.
The Government has stated that there can be no change to Council Tax benefit for pensioners, so the reduction in benefit will only affect working age claimants.
There will also be no change to the Council Tax exemption for properties undergoing major structural repair, and Council Tax discounts for living on your own (single person discount) are unaffected by the changes.
For more details, see www.dover.gov.uk/counciltaxchanges or to request a paper copy of the scheme and survey, call the central information line on 01227 862310, or you can collect paper copies from any Council office.
