www.halton.gov.uk

Halton Borough Council Peter McCann Janis Scott Revenues & Benefits Halton Borough Council

Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit Benefits Express Welfare Rights/Money Advice Council Tax Discounts & Exemptions

Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit 4m claimants of HB £69.98 average weekly payment 5m claimants of CTB £14.27 average weekly payment

Take up HB (caseload) is between 83-88% HB (expenditure) is between 87-92% People with small amounts not claiming

Council Tax Benefit Big push nationally on under claiming Just completed a targeted campaign Last month CTB £112k and HB £42k

Reason for not claiming Guaranteed Pension Credit not claiming HB Previous refusal Too complex Didn’t know about the scheme

Benefit Express Drop in basis Free benefits health check Don’t need appointments Gained additional £458k in welfare benefits £577k money advice Other services Internet Bus passes Fire safety check Library sign up

These Benefits are of right It is complex but we will sort it for you Fill in form Call in at Halton Direct Link Call in on Benefits Express Ring us

Home Visits People who are not able to get to an office or want to see someone face to face Contact 0151 907 8302

Welfare Rights Council offers a comprehensive welfare rights and money advice service Free & confidential Form completion through to appeal Last year gained additional £2.9m Managed £850k of debt advice Contact 0151 471 7448

Council Tax Discounts Full charge assumes 2 adults resident If only one adult resident 25% discount (18,700) If no residents 50% discount Discounts can also apply if 2 or more residents When counting number of adults resident certain people not included

Council Tax Discounts Exemptions Reliefs

For example:- 3 adults live in property 1 qualifies as severely mentally impaired 1 qualifies as their carer Only 1 adult is included therefore 25% discount 2 adults live in property 0 adults included therefore 50% discount

18 and entitled to child benefit full time students student nurses apprentices youth training trainees people in residential care homes severely mentally impaired carers and certain care workers people in prison members of religious communities overseas forces and diplomats people in certain hostels or night shelters

Properties occupied solely by students, under 18’s or the severely mentally impaired (who would otherwise be liable for Council Tax) get 100% exemption.

Exemptions Exemptions available on certain empty properties unfurnished – up to 6 months require structural alteration/major repair – 12 months left empty by person in prison left empty by person moved to receive care left empty by person moved to provide care left empty by student who was liable for the tax person died and property is empty – 6 months after probate repossessed property property that is responsibility of bankrupt’s trustee prohibited by law awaiting occupation by minister of religion

Disablement Relief If a property adapted to meet requirements of a disabled person may qualify for a reduction If you meet 1 of 3 qualifying criteria the Council Tax will be reduced to the lower valuation band If already in Band A may still qualify for a reduction of 1/9th of Band D charge (2008/09 £142.00) A visit is made to property to ascertain if the qualifying criteria are met

More information If you would like to apply for a discount/exemption or find out more about the discounts available please contact us:- Halton Direct Link Council’s website www.halton.gov.uk E-mail council.tax@halton.gov.uk Telephone Contact Centre on 0151 907 8301 Benefit Express