Scrapping council tax benefit.

[EDDIE51]

My local council North Herts has announced that it will scrap council tax benefit for those on low income and JSA. I am not interested in the 'benefit culture' view on this but on the legal side. I though this was covered by government legislation and out of the hands of councils. The reason given is to recoup a £980,000 shortfall in revenue.

[factor-fiction]

It does seem surprising, eddie. Have you got a link please?

[ummmm]

So people on JSA allowance are expected to pay their rent from it?

[Traci66]

They will scrap the council tax benefit and put the JSA up accordingly.

[daffy654]

I can find nothing relating to this news via Google or on the North Herts council website. Are you absolutely sure of your facts?

[EDDIE51]

It is in the local paper today The Royston Crow I will have a look I think there is an online edition.

[EDDIE51]

There is an online edition but you need to be registered to see it. Anyway it is definately there on page 3 of todays edition. They do say that benefit for pensioners is protected but they say they will scrap benefit for the low income and JSA's . South Cambridgeshire council say the same thing , both in the same artical.

[bednobs]

eddie, i think you must have the wrong end of the stick (or the paper does)
Council tax benefit is a nation-wide benefit

[EDDIE51]

Bednobs that is exactly what I thought, I had to read it 3 times to be sure of what it said , but it definately says they will cut the benefit for JSA and low income claimants.

[bednobs]

hmm, i just read it online (because i couldn't quite believe what you were saying (sorry eddie :))
And it seems that they are saying that people on JSA MAY "face changes"
They are not saying they WILL scrap ctb, but are going to have a consultation on it.
however, i like you never realised that the council had it in their power to do it anyway!

[bednobs]

although, i now noticw on the directgov site you have to check your eligibility with your local council - indicating it IS in the councils power to chose who is eligible or not!

[bednobs]

"Council Tax Benefit will be replaced by a new local support scheme from 1 April 2013. Until this date, Council Tax Benefit remains a national welfare benefit which is paid to help meet the cost of your Council Tax."
so it seems that from next year it wont be nationwide

[bednobs]

Full details have not yet been released by Government. Councils have been advised, however, that local schemes should support Government objectives for:

· creating the right incentives to get more people into work by ensuring that work always pays,

· protecting the most vulnerable people, and

· delivering fairness to those claiming benefit and to the taxpayer.

The Government has said that it wishes to protect pensioners in the scheme. For all other recipients, there is a requirement to agree local eligibility criteria.

Under the existing Council Tax Benefit scheme, the Council is reimbursed 100% for the amount of Council Tax Benefit it pays out to local claimants.

However, under the new system it will be given a specific sum by the Government to make support payments. This is likely to be 90% of the amount that is currently processed under Council Tax Benefit.

A detailed scheme to take account of the reduction in funding will now be developed and consulted upon, prior to the proposed scheme being submitted later in the year for approval.

[EDDIE51]

Bednobs that makes sense , the 10% funding cut was mentioned as a reason.
I'm getting more and more glad that I am of the age where I qualify as a pensioner now, youngsters now are definately having a much harder time . At least most of my income is protected.

[emmie]

the government, local councils have or are in the process of changing much to do with housing, council tax benefits. This will impact on many who can least afford it, watch this space.