Urgent warning to households on Universal Credit over bill rise – how to check if you’re affected
UNIVERSAL Credit households are being urged to check if they’re affected by an increase to a common household bill.
Thousands receiving the benefit could be eligible for a council tax reduction, or could even get the balance paid off in full.
What support you can get depends on your circumstances and where you live, as each council decides what help to offer those in its area.
Factors that will determine how much of a discount you can get include your household income and whether you have children.
Council tax is one of the biggest household bills and the most important – if you fall behind you could be asked to pay the entire year upfront.
Non-payment can also result in bailiffs visiting your home, court action or even imprisonment.
But some households may find that they’re no longer eligible for Council Tax support following an increase to their Universal Credit payments.
Universal Credit payments increased in line with September’s 10.1% inflation figure on April 10.
For example, for those single and aged under 25, the standard allowance grew from £265.31 to £292.11.
Posting in the Scrimping on a Budget Facebook page, one person said: “For those who get low income discount with council tax due to being Universal Credit, please factor in now that your Universal Credit money has increased your council tax liability will too, due to increase in income.”
Any change to your Universal Credit entitlement could impact your Council Tax support claim.
This means higher Universal Credit payments could make households ineligible for a council tax reduction.
Each council has its own eligibility criteria, so if your household income is now over your local authority’s threshold, you’ll no longer qualify for support.
But bear in mind this will vary from council to council, so make sure you check your local authority’s eligibility criteria first.
You can contact your local council to check what support you can get and to see if your entitlement has changed.
The Sun has contacted the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for comment.
I’m on Universal Credit – can I get help with council tax?
Those on Universal Credit could be eligible for up to 100% off their council tax bill.
But again, this depends on where you live and what your local council’s policy is.
The quickest and best option will be to check with your council.
You can find out which council you would need to contact by using the government’s website.
What other support is available?
Single people
If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.
And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.
A full list of circumstances that exempt you from paying council tax can be found on Citizens Advice.
Retirees
Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too.
Challenge your band
You might be able to reduce the amount of council tax you pay by challenging your band.
Properties across the UK are put into a band from A to H, and this informs how much council tax you pay.
The bands were created based on property values back in 1991, so many households may find that based on today’s prices, they should be in a different band.
It’s worth checking yours to see if you could get a discount.
First, you need to find out what band you are in.
You can find this out by checking with your local authority or on the postcode checker.
Use the council tax band checker tool to see which band properties along your street are in.
If they are in a lower band than you are, you could successfully make a challenge and get yours lowered.
How do I challenge it?
Contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in England and Wales or the Scottish Assessors Association (SAA) in Scotland to do this.
Gather together evidence showing you’re paying more – this could be having addresses of similar properties to yours in a lower band, for example.
If the VOA agrees that your property is in the wrong band, it will contact you to let you know your band will be changed.
It can take up to two months for the VOA to review your case.
But be warned – challenging your band might not work.
While you could get moved to a lower band and pay less, there’s also the chance the VOA could find you’re not paying enough.
This could mean you’re moved to a higher band – and your neighbours’ too.
If you disagree with the VOA’s ruling, you can appeal your case – but only if you’ve been told that you can when you get the decision.
You must appeal within three months of your decision – to do this, get in touch with the Valuation Tribunal Service.
If the Valuation Tribunal agrees with you, it will get the VOA to change your band – and your bill will change.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk