council tax and benefits from april 2013. the government told us that council tax benefit is...
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Consultation
The public consultation lasted 12 weeks and consulted on two proposalsPostal form, web form, Neighbourhood forums, meetings, telephone and e-mail
Preferred Scheme options
Minimum benefit award
of £5.00 per week
Change the chargefor second
homes
Protect
DLA Middle / High rate
Child Benefit - Children under 5
Abolish Second
Adult Rebate
Restrict benefit to Property
Band D
Increase the income
taper from 20% to 30%
AbolishBackdated Payments
Increase non dependant
deductions
Council Meeting Summary 23.1.13
• Councillor Anstee presented the preferred scheme to full Council
• Conservative group supported changes as provided least impact on households
• Labour group oppose Welfare Reform changes
• Lib dem group, concerned about the changes but support the scheme in the fact that there are protections and the majority of households not impacted
• Full vote carried out and passed the scheme
What does this mean?
From 1/4/13 the following will take effect:•Preferred Council Tax Support scheme goes live•Extended Reductions will be increased to 8 weeks•Child care disregards will be increased by 10%•Second home discount removed•Empty and Unfurnished properties will be charged the full Council Tax after 1 month
•In addition properties which are empty and unfurnished for over 2 years will be charged a 150%
Example of households affectedOver a year (3339 for 2012-2013)
Household Type No of claimants
Average yearly Council Tax Benefit reduction
Average weekly Council Tax Benefit reduction
Single Claimant 25 or over 1251 £112.38 £2.16
Lone Parent 18 or over 1228 £180.79 £3.48
Family - one or both over 18 552 £231.13 £4.44
Couple - one or both over 18 220 £124.43 £2.39
Single Claimant 18 to 24 83 £80.79 £1.55
Couple - one or both aged 60 to 64 3 £59.06 £1.14
Single person aged 60 to 64 2 £15.45 £0.30
Full Equalities impact breakdown available on the Council Website
Communications
• Press release available at:• http://www.trafford.gov.uk/news/press/details.asp?ID=29
87• Letters being issued to affected households (approx.
2500 letters)• Website being updated• Dedicated Benefits helpline available from 1st February
0161 9122090; Mon - Fri 8.00am to 7.00pm• Benefit Roadshows and drop in sessions arranged
Communications
Mobile Advice Centre (Benefits Bus)
Date: Location:
Monday 18 Feb Sale West Community Centre
Tuesday 19 Feb Altrincham Market
Wednesday 20 Feb Central Road, Partington
Thursday 21 Feb Sale Town Hall
Friday 22 Feb Urmston Library
Welfare Reform - Drop in advice sessions
Date: Location:
Monday 11 Feb Stretford Library
Tuesday 12 Feb Old Trafford library
Wednesday 13 Feb Stretford Library
Thursday 14 Feb Sale Waterside
Friday 15 Feb Urmston Library
Some schemes in AGMARochdale:
•Restrict all working age claims to Band A, and applying a 25% cut to all net awards. This will achieve £3.6m of the £5m required. The rest of the savings will be made through changes to council tax discounts and exemptions.
•In addition abolishing backdates, abolishing second adult rebate, doubling non-dep deductions (12/13 rates) and increasing income taper to 30%
•Developing a discretionary fund – No other protections.
•This scheme has received a legal challenge (according to HBINFO)
Stockport:
•CTS restricted to Band A for smaller households or Band B for larger households. Second Adult Rebate abolished. Non-dep deductions will be made at either £10 or £5 per week dependant on income. Support can only be claimed by people with less than £8000 capital or savings.
•No backdates. The minimum weekly payment of support will be £1 per week.
•Developing a discretionary fund.
Future plans – Information and advice
• Working with partners on the provision of information and advice
• Working to ensure joined up approach in reaching households
• Need more ideas on how this can be achieved.