SOLIHULL Council is asking for people’s views about proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for next year.
The Council Tax Reduction Scheme offers certain eligible people help towards paying their Council Tax and is reviewed every year.
For April 2018, the Council is proposing that the minimum payment for all working age customers will stay the same at 15 per cent.
It is however proposing to end entitlement to Second Adult Rebate which was inherited from the previous national Council Tax Benefit scheme.
Under the current scheme, people who are not eligible to claim a single person discount because they have another adult living with them may be able to claim second adult rebate (a discount of up to 25 per cent) if that adult is not their partner and is on a low income or receives certain benefits.
Second adult rebate is not based on the council tax payer’s income, or ability to pay, but the income of the person who is living with them (usually an adult relative, son or daughter).
Depending on the income of the second adult, the council tax payer could benefit from a reduction in council tax of seven per cent, 15 per cent or 25 per cent, regardless of their own income.
There are around 300 working age people in the borough who receive the Second Adult Rebate – its removal could save the Council around £44,000 a year as well as making sure that everyone in the borough who can afford to pay is treated fairly.
The Council has written to all residents in receipt of Council Tax Reduction to advise them of the proposals and ask for their views.
All residents can read more about the consultation, which runs until October 8, and fill in an online survey via the Council’s website: www.solihull.gov.uk/consultation
For anyone without online access, free internet services are available throughout the borough at libraries. People who are unable to complete the survey online, can call Solihull Connect on 0121 704 8200 and complete the survey over the phone.
