Universal Credit , Single occupancy and Council tax

[perplexedofdorset]

I have been on Universal Credit and Council Tax support since  April 2020. 

I was told, despite being on Universal Credit and a single occupant in my home, I still had to pay a proportion of the Council Tax, which I did ...

Then a month or two later I received a cheque for the amount I had paid from the Council Tax.

I have just received a council tax bill for this year stating an amount I have to pay ...

My question is Do I, on Universal Credit and being a solo occupant still have to pay a proportion of the yearly rate or not. ??/

 

Thank you

xxx

 

 

[dx100uk]

why not phone the CTAX dept of your council and ask?

 

dx

 

[Andyorch]

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/benefits/housing-benefit/housing-benefit-amount.aspx

 

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

[unclebulgaria67]

You just complete a Council Tax reduction form the council will provide to you and after you send it back completed they will calculate what you have to pay. 

 

Most councils now charge unemployed at least 20% of the total amount due after any single occupancy discount has been applied.

 

 

[The GodMother]

What it looks like you have not been told is that last year as part of the Covid measures the government gave all councils a extra amount of money to cover the council tax bills of people on benefits. It was called the Council tax hardship fund you was paid a extra amount up to £150. Anything above the £150 you were still liable for. 

 

Most councils wrote to the people who were eligible for the fund, I know l received a letter l have it beside me which says if my council tax bill is in credit now l can apply for a refund. I left mine to tick over and carry over to this years bill which meant l did not have to pay this year either, bonus but they have still asked me to make a minimum payment of £1 a month to stop problems.

 

I think this might be why you received a cheque payment for what you had paid tho l am sure you should have been told. The government did announce the fund and they paid the money to councils between April and June.