How Much Is Council Tax Reduction For Single Parents?
By
HuutiMoney
Council Tax Recution is one of the many reliefs that help to reduce the financial burden on single parents. Through this blog post, we aim to learn how much council tax reduction can single parents claim. We will also explore other situations in which council taxpayers can apply for a reduction on their total bill.
How Much Is Council Tax Reduction For Single Parents?
The discount that single parents can claim through Council Tax reduction varies from council to council.
For instance, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, your council tax reduction is calculated on the basis of your income as well as the valuation band assigned to your property. In this way, if you live in a house valued at Band D and earn between £283.37 to £313.95, you can avail a 15% discount on your Council Tax bill.
However, if you live in Band G property in the same borough, you would have to earn between £364.93 to £415.90 to earn a 15% discount. On the other hand, you could live in any of the properties but if your earn up to £161 per week, you can claim a 100 per cent discount on your Council Tax bill.
If you are a single parent claiming any of the following benefits you are eligible for a council tax reduction:
- Income support
- Job seeker’s allowance
- Employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
- Universal credit
Being a single parent, there is a strong likelihood that you are the sole adult in the household. If you live alone or are the only adult in the household, you are eligible for a 25 per cent discount on your council tax bills (irrespective of your income or savings). This is a single-person discount on council tax. To avail of this discount, you must inform your local council office of your circumstances so that your bills may be adjusted appropriately.
In addition to this, a single parent with a child qualifies for a £255 council tax benefit and as age brackets and bands increase the discount may rise up to £419.
If a council tax reduction is not sufficient to meet your financial needs, you may consider applying for a “Hardship Relief” if you are experiencing extraordinary hardship due to reasons beyond your control. If your application is successful you may be granted a temporary relief through reduced council tax payments.
Can I Get Council Tax Reduction Due To Low Income?
Yes, you can get a council tax reduction if you are a single parent on a low income.
Households in the UK are classified as being on a low income if they live on less than 60 per cent of the median net disposable income earned. As per recent data gathered and analysed by the Department for Work and Pensions if an individual is earning 60 per cent below the median income threshold, they become eligible for a council tax reduction on their bill.
However, they must contact their local council office to apply for council tax reduction and share relevant details regarding their income and circumstances. The council will then proceed with their application to decide the percentage of discount that will be applicable.
How Else Can I Get Council Tax Reduction?
Whether residents own or rent their homes, they may qualify for a council tax reduction in their bill, if they meet any of the following criteria:
- If the resident is the only adult in the household they can avail of a 25 per cent discount on council tax rates.
- If an adult is living with a full-time student will still qualify for a 25 per cent discount as full-time students and student nurses are exempt from council tax bills.
- If you are living with someone below 18 years of age (whether or not they are your dependant) only the adult will be considered for council tax calculation.
- Being a carer for another member of the household for at least 35 hours per week qualifies the individual for a CTR.
- If there is a change in the surroundings of your residential property causing a full-time decrease in its value, the council tax band may be lowered by a valuation expert, enabling you to enter a lower band with reduced council tax bills due.
- While council tax payments are spread over 10 monthly instalments, should you prefer to pay the annual amount in a lump sum, a bulk payment may also qualify you for a discount.
Conclusion:
The discussion in this article highlights how the income of single parents makes them eligible for council tax reduction due to their low-income status. In addition to this, single parents on benefits can also claim a council tax reduction on their annual bill.
FAQs: How Much Is Council Tax Reduction For Single Parents?
What benefits am I entitled to as a single-parent in the UK?
As a single parent in the UK, you can claim income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Is council tax cheaper if you live alone?
Yes, council tax is cheaper if you live alone. If you are the only adult in a household or you live by yourself, you can avail a 25% discount on your council tax bill.
How much is a single-person discount on council tax in the UK?
A single-person discount entitles you to a 25% reduction on your annual council tax bill as you are the only adult in the house while a full council tax bill is calculated on the assumption of two adults living in a house.
Can I get a discount on my council tax?
If you are the only adult occupying the property, you will get a 25 per cent discount on your council tax payments. A 50 per cent council tax benefit becomes applicable if all the residents of the household are under 18 years of age. Complete exemption or a 100 per cent discount is applicable if all the residents of the said premises are full-time students.
What council tax band is cheapest?
With eight council tax bands spread across A to H, the cheapest council tax band is A which is assigned to properties with the lowest market value estimated up to £40,000. On the other hand, H is the highest council tax band assigned to properties estimated to be more than £320,000 in value.
References:
Council Tax Reduction rates for a single parent with one child
Are you entitled to a council tax reduction?