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If you are having concerns about paying your Council Tax during this difficult period, we would be grateful if you consider the following options:
You could be eligible for help towards the cost of your Council Tax if you’re on a low income or claim certain benefits, including Universal Credit.
Your bill could be reduced by up to 100% if you are above state pension age or up to 80% if you or your partner is below state pension age or you are in receipt of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Universal credit.
You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working.
The level of support you will receive is calculated by looking at you and your partner’s income, savings and household circumstances.
If you are liable for Council Tax, help towards paying this is not included in your Universal Credit payment.
You can continue to make a claim for Council Tax Reduction (below) if you are not in receipt of Universal Credit.
You may be entitled to a reduction on your Council Tax bill if one or more of the adults in your house are disregarded when calculating the charge. If the only resident is disregarded then an exemption may be awarded.
Persons who are disregarded include:
• Full time students and student nurses
• Apprentices and persons under 25 on youth training schemes
• Persons who are severely mentally impaired
• Carers - Persons who live with and care for someone who is not their partner, spouse or child under 18
• Persons who would be liable for Council Tax but are permanently resident in a nursing home, hospital or residential care home
• Persons staying in certain hostels or night shelters
• 18 & 19 year olds who are at school or college, or who may have just left
• Persons in prison or detention (unless confined for none payment of Council Tax or a fine)
Apply for Discount or Exemption if you feel one or more of the adults in your property are disregarded (opens in a new window).
You may be able to claim a reduction in your charge if your home has certain features used by a disabled resident, which are essential or of major importance to the well being of that person. These features are:
• A room which is not a bathroom, kitchen or toilet and which is predominately used by and is required to meet the needs of the person with the disability.
• An additional bathroom or kitchen which is required for meeting the needs of the person with the disability
• Sufficient floor space inside the dwelling to permit the use of a wheelchair. It must be necessary for the disabled person to use a wheel chair indoors predominately.
Apply for a Disabled Persons Reduction (opens in a new window).
It will be necessary for an inspector to call at your property by mutual agreement.
Some properties are exempt from Council Tax. If you own or occupy a property which is described below you may be entitled to claim an exemption.
Apply for an occupied property exemption (opens in a new window).
If your property becomes unoccupied and substantially unfurnished a 100% discount may be applicable from the date the property became unoccupied and unfurnished, for a period of up to 1 month. After this period a 100% charge will be applied to empty properties.
Apply for an unoccupied and unfurnished property discount (opens in a new window).
An additional charge (premium) will be applied to properties that have been and unfurnished for 2 years or more, as follows:
Empty Period | Charge | Comment |
Up to 1 month | 0% | A discount is applied for one month |
Up to 2 years | 100% | Full charge due |
2 years or more | 200% | A 100% premium is applied to long-term empty properties |
5 years or more | 300% | A 200% premium will be applied from 1 April 2020 |
10 years or more | 400% | A 300% premium will be applied from 1 April 2021 |
Notes:
If your property becomes unoccupied and substantially unfurnished and requires or is undergoing major repair or structural alteration, a 25% discount may be applicable for a period of up to 12 months.
Apply for a major repairs/structural alteration discount (opens in a new window).
Some properties are exempt from Council Tax. If you own or are liable for a property which is described below you may be entitled to claim an exemption.
Apply for an unoccupied property exemption (opens in a new window).
A discretionary discount is available to care leavers aged between 18 and 24 years. It will cease on the care leaver’s 25th birthday. Further information is contained within section 3 of the Council Tax Discretionary Discount Policy, to apply for a Care Leavers Discount please complete and return an application form. Completed forms should be emailed to ctaxenquiries@sthelens.gov.uk
Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (amended), provides the Council with additional discretionary powers to reduce the Council Tax liability where national discounts and exemptions cannot be applied.
Council Tax legislation provides a wide range of discounts, exemptions and reductions that have the effect of reducing the level of Council Tax due. Applicants will be expected to have exhausted all other options before making an application under this policy.