Latest news with #CouncilTaxReduction
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Check for unclaimed cash over bank holiday to boost household income by up to £4,300
The bank holiday weekend is the perfect time to make sure you are not missing out on an income top-up. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed earlier this month there are no plans to issue any more cost of living payments in 2025. Between 2022 and 2024, the DWP provided a series of one-off payments to help people cope with the cost of living crisis as energy bills and inflation soared to record-breaking levels. Ofgem announced on Friday that energy bills will fall by seven per cent from July 1, but are still higher than pre-pandemic prices. Inflation rates are also on the rise, jumping from 2.6 per cent in March to 3.5 per cent in April. However, many households could be due an income boost from unclaimed benefits or discounts on Council Tax and setting aside 10 minutes over the bank holiday weekend to use a free, confidential benefits calculator could ease the financial pressure going into summer. People on a low income could be entitled to a saving of up to £850 a year through the Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is only available north of the border. The latest figures from the Scottish Government show 458,470 households (one in five) were eligible for a Council Tax Reduction in December, 2024 - full details on how to claim can be found here. Older people on a low income may be entitled to an income boost, worth on average £4,300, through Pension Credit. The latest figures from the DWP suggest 760,000 people are eligible for the means-tested benefit but not claiming it. Some pensioners think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, however, an award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support. How to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are closed on Monday, May 26 and but re-open on Tuesday. Expert help and advice is also available from: Independent Age Income Max Citizens Advice Age UK More details about claiming Pension Credit can be fond on here. People under State Pension age with health conditions could be eligible for Adult Disability Payment or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). A successful claim could be worth between £29.20 and £187.45, some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. People over State Pension age with health conditions could be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment or Attendance Allowance. A successful claim could be worth either £73.90 or £110.40 per week, some £295.60 or £441.60 every four-week pay period. An online benefits calculator isn't a magic wand to wave away money worries, but it can give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much you could be eligible to claim - but it's up to you to actually make the application. Who should check for unclaimed benefits or discounts? There is a wide range of benefits and payments available you should check for. You should check if: you are temporarily unable to work, including because of ill health you are of working age on a low income You are over State Pension age on a low income you have been made redundant you are looking for work you are raising a family you have a child who is disabled or has a health condition you are disabled or have a health condition you're caring for someone you have lost a loved one What is an online benefits calculator? Online benefit calculators quickly work out if you are missing out on any benefits and best of all, they are completely free, independent and confidential to use - so there's nothing to lose. In just a few minutes you could find out how much you may be able to claim in extra support, just by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your working status and any savings you have. You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out: Where to find help Advice Direct Scotland This online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits including Scottish Child Payment and Adult or Child Disability Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Find out more here. The benefits calculators below provide information on income-related benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours. Turn2us Entitledto Policy in Practice What you will need before you start Gather the following information before you start and the whole process should just take about 10 minutes: Savings Income, including your partner's Existing benefits and pensions - including anyone living with you Outgoings - such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments Your latest Council Tax bill
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Lower your next Council Tax payment without claiming a discount
Council Tax bills have increased across the country but there is a fast way to lower the monthly payment. Households across Scotland are paying higher monthly Council Tax bills this year after local authority-wide increases came into force last month. For people worried about the rising cost, a simple solution - that anyone paying their bill by Direct Debit can do - is to extend the scheduled payments from 10 months to 12. Council Tax is typically paid between April and January, however, you can spread the costs, which will lower the monthly amount, but it will mean you are paying every month with no breaks. To arrange the change in payments you will need to agree to pay your Council Tax by monthly Direct Debit, which can be done online on your local council's website where payment frequency options are given. If you are on a low income, or certain benefits, you can also or give them a call to find out if you are eligible for a Council Tax Reduction (CTR). The latest figures from the Scottish Government show 458,470 recipients were eligible for Council Tax Reduction in December 2024, saving an average of over £850 a year. The data indicates that one-in-five households are being supported through the scheme, which is not available anywhere else in the UK. Only people on a low income and resident in Scotland may be eligible for a Council Tax Reduction, which also provides successful claimants with up to 35 per cent off their water and waste charges. While the Council Tax Reduction scheme mostly supports households on a lower income, help is also available for middle-earners or people finding it difficult to keep up with payments - especially those on a higher band. To find out about getting help with your Council Tax, contact your local authority and explain your financial situation, they may be able to put your account on 'hold' and agree the next payment date, giving you a bit of breathing room to get back on track. Details of other help available including extra financial support or for things like food, heating and electricity can be found on the Scottish Government's cost of living crisis support website here. Below is a quick guide on how to check your Council Tax bill and a list of circumstances which could see you paying less each month. Check if you could be exempt from paying Council Tax You will not pay Council Tax if: You are a full-time student You are in the Armed Forces in Forces accommodation You live in a care home or hospital Your home is unoccupied and empty (up to six months) - for example, if you've gone into hospital You have a severe mental impairment (e.g. dementia) - if you only live with someone who has dementia, then you'll be treated as a sole occupant as they will be disregarded, but you won't both be exempt Contact your local authority about your eligibility and how you can apply for an exemption - a link to all 32 local authorities in Scotland is at the bottom of this page. Could you be eligible for a discount on your Council Tax bill? There are some circumstances where you may get a reduction on your Council Tax and the amount of discount varies depending on your circumstances. If you live alone The full Council Tax is calculated assuming there are two or more people living in each home – if you live alone, you should apply to your local council for a discount - you could get a 25 per cent reduction, regardless of your financial circumstances. If you live with someone under 18 or a student Council Tax is not calculated for anyone aged under 18, full-time students, student nurses and some apprentices or trainees. If you are a carer Carers who look after someone in the household for at least 35 hours per week and who meet additional criteria may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes, contact your local authority for their eligibility criteria. Just be aware, this doesn't apply if the person receiving care is the partner of the carer, or is the carer's child aged under 18. If there are major changes to the value of your home You may be able to get your home moved to a lower band if it has decreased in value. For example, if you have made home adaptations for a disabled person, or if a motorway has been built nearby. You may also get the band lowered if a room in the house is dedicated to equipment used by a disabled person on a daily basis. If you change the way you pay Although the total year's amount will stay the same, you can request your bill be split over 12 months instead of 10, so you can spread the cost and reduce your monthly outgoings. Alternatively, if you can afford to pay the whole bill in one lump sum, check with your local council if you can get a discount. Apply for Council Tax Reduction You may be eligible to claim a Council Tax Reduction if you're on a low income or claiming certain benefits. You can also claim Council Tax support regardless of whether you own your own home or rent, or whether you're working or unemployed. Each local council is responsible for operating their own Council Tax support scheme, so the amount of support given across the country may vary. The amount you will get depends on many factors, including: Which benefits you receive Your age Your income Your savings Who you live with How much council tax you pay You may get more Council Tax support if you receive a disability or carers benefit. If you receive the Guarantee Credit Part of Pension Credit you may even get your Council Tax paid in full. If you don't have it, but are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in savings, you may still get some help. Local councils Contact your local council from the list below to apply for a Council Tax Reduction or discount. Inverclyde Renfrewshire West Dunbartonshire East Dunbartonshire Glasgow East Renfrewshire North Lanarkshire Falkirk West Lothian Edinburgh Midlothian East Lothian Clackmannanshire Fife Dundee Angus Aberdeenshire Aberdeen Moray Highland Na h-Eileanan Siar Argyll and Bute Perth and Kinross Stirling North Ayrshire East Ayrshire South Ayrshire Dumfries and Galloway South Lanarkshire Scottish Borders Orkney Shetland
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Check for unclaimed benefits as DWP confirms no cost of living payments this year
Setting aside 10 minutes this weekend could boost your income before summer. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed earlier this week that there are no plans to issue any more cost of living payments in 2025. Between 2022 and 2024, the DWP issued a series of one-off payments to help people cope with the cost of living crisis as energy bills and inflation soared to record-breaking levels. Energy bills remain higher than they were prior to the pandemic and fluctuating inflation rates means people are still paying more for everyday food items, clothing and fuel. However, many households could be due an income boost from unclaimed benefits or discounts on Council Tax and setting aside 10 minutes this weekend to use a free, confidential benefits calculator could ease the financial pressure going into summer. People on a low income could be entitled to a saving of up to £850 a year through the Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is only available north of the border. The latest figures from the Scottish Government show 458,470 households (one in five) were eligible for a Council Tax Reduction in December, 2024 - full details on how to claim can be found here. Older people on a low income may be entitled to an income boost, worth on average £4,300, through Pension Credit. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) suggest 760,000 people are eligible for the means-tested benefit but not claiming it. Some pensioners think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, however, an award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support. How to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are closed for Easter, but re-open on Tuesday, April 22. Expert help and advice is also available from: Independent Age Income Max Citizens Advice Age UK People under State Pension age with health conditions could be eligible for Adult Disability Payment or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). A successful claim could be worth between £29.20 and £187.45, some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period. People over State Pension age with health conditions could be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment or Attendance Allowance. A successful claim could be worth either £73.90 or £110.40 per week, some £295.60 or £441.60 every four-week pay period. An online benefits calculator isn't a magic wand to wave away money worries, but it can give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much you could be eligible to claim - but it's up to you to actually make the application. Who should check for unclaimed benefits or discounts? There is a wide range of benefits and payments available you should check for. You should check if: you are temporarily unable to work, including because of ill health you are of working age on a low income You are over State Pension age on a low income you have been made redundant you are looking for work you are raising a family you have a child who is disabled or has a health condition you are disabled or have a health condition you're caring for someone you have lost a loved one What is an online benefits calculator? Online benefit calculators quickly work out if you are missing out on any benefits and best of all, they are completely free, independent and confidential to use - so there's nothing to lose. In just a few minutes you could find out how much you may be able to claim in extra support, just by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your working status and any savings you have. You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out: Where to find help Advice Direct Scotland This online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits including Scottish Child Payment and Adult or Child Disability Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Find out more here. The benefits calculators below provide information on income-related benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours. Turn2us Entitledto Policy in Practice What you will need before you start Gather the following information before you start and the whole process should just take about 10 minutes: Savings Income, including your partner's Existing benefits and pensions - including anyone living with you Outgoings - such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments Your latest Council Tax bill
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP issues warning about tax-free limit as state pension rises
The state pension increased by 4.1% this month, with the new full rate now standing at £230.25 a week. This means it's only £600 away from the income tax threshold As the state pension moves closer to the personal allowance tax threshold, lawmakers in Parliament are raising queries about a possible tax break. Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox recently put government officials on the spot, pressing them for an answer on whether they plan to sync up the personal allowance with the rising state pension. At present, people can earn up to £12,570 annually without incurring income tax. Meanwhile, with this month's 4.1 per cent increase in payments, the full new state pension stands at £230.25 weekly, equating to £11,973 each year, edging closer to that taxable figure by only £600. READ MORE: 'Powerful' Hoover cordless vacuum cleaner beats Shark and Amazon with 56% price drop Treasury minister James Murray responded to the query, explaining: "The Personal Allowance - the amount an individual can earn before paying tax - will continue to exceed the basic and full new state pension this tax year. This means pensioners whose sole income is the full new state pension or basic state pension without any increments will not pay any income tax." However, he pointed out an upcoming policy change, noting: "The previous Government made the decision to freeze the income tax Personal Allowance at its current level of £12,570 until April 2028. "This Government is committed to keeping people's taxes as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility and so, at our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds." During their General Election campaign last year, the Tories proposed an enhanced 'triple lock plus' policy aimed at pensioners' pockets. The "triple lock" refers to the formula that ensures state pensions swell annually by either 2.5%, inflation or average earnings growth – whichever is the mightiest, reports Lancs Live. But under Conservative plans, this would extend to upping the personal allowance yearly so the state pension never tips over into taxable territory. However, experts suggest that bringing taxes into the equation with the state pension could put some retirees in a tight spot, especially those banking on extra benefits. Rebecca Lamb from Money Wellness warned: "Many people understandably assume that a small rise in their pension is a good thing. "But if it pushes them just over the personal tax allowance, it won't just mean paying a bit of income tax - it could disqualify them from Pension Credit, which in turn opens the door to a much larger loss." She paints a dire scenario for some pensioners, as she explains: "Pension Credit serves as a key to numerous forms of assistance: Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, free NHS dental and eye care, the Warm Home Discount, weather -payments-2019-what-13874235> Cold Weather Payments, and even the free TV licence for over-75s. "In total, someone could end up losing more than £8,000 a year in support, all because their pension creeps just above the threshold."
Edinburgh Reporter
28-04-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian pensioners receive targeted advice from Anti-Poverty service
Pensioners in West Lothian have been given help to ensure they qualify for the stricter winter fuel payments. More than 100 OAPs in the county were able to claim more than £28,000 in winter fuel payments following targeted advice from the council's Anti-Poverty Service. Councillor George Paul, chair of the Whitburn and Blackburn Local Area Committee said a report on the service's work in the last year was a 'horrendous read'- but he welcomed the work that was being done. One of the first decisions of the newly elected Labour Government was to scrap the universal £300 winter field payment for pensioners. This winter only those who qualified for pension credit would be eligible for cash help with their heating bills. The Anti-Poverty service used Inbest, an agency which helps individuals and councils understand benefits entitlements and can be used to navigate the application process for benefits. It's a tool to maximize potential benefits. A spokesperson for the council service told the committee: 'The service worked in partnership with an external agency, Inbest, who were able to help identify customers entitled to Pension Credit but not claiming. 'The Department for Work and Pensions approved the reuse of the data we held for this campaign as we were able to anonymise customer details. The benefits team within the Anti-poverty service worked with Inbest and were able to identify 432 households who were in receipt of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction and based on their income should also be claiming Pension Credit but were not.' The spokesperson added: 'The Advice Shop's Pensioner Income Maximisation Team made contact via telephone or letter to carry out Income Maximisation Checks and assist customers to make claims to any benefits identified. 'The engagement rate for this campaign was 55% this included those that were supported, not entitled and those that were not interested in pursuing further. 'From this targeted approach 136 customers have been supported to claim £544,299 in extra benefit outcome throughout West Lothian with 129 claims for the Winter Fuel Payment totalling £28,700 which otherwise may not have been claimed.' The update of the year's work also showed the wider work of the Anti-Poverty Service and Advice shops in Whitburn and Blackburn. In total, 15% of Advice Shop customers in West Lothian came from the Whitburn and Blackburn area. Successful outcomes secured for these customers included: Total financial gains of £2,821,608 million by maximising income from social security benefits and energy efficiency savings of £113,547 through access to financial support and advice Support to deal with £1,123,825 of problem debt resulted in reduction in debt repayments of £512,188 The service also issued 686 emergency food vouchers and 579 fuel vouchers for households at risk of disconnection Councillor Paul said: 'Your report is welcome but when you're reading it is also kind of frightening; the amount of poverty that's in West Lothian. 'It's horrendous reading but it's welcome that something is being done. God knows what would happen to people otherwise.' Just over 2,000 of the 14,000 plus enquiries to the service came from the Whitburn ward last year. SNP Councillor Mary Dickson agreed with Councillor Paul. She said: 'When I read this report it's just dismal. It's sad to see how many people in West Lothian actually need help like this. And it's from all areas, from cancer patients, children, clothing grants. It's really sad. Like George, I'm pleased that someone is there looking out for the people' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
