A consultation has opened on proposed changes to Dorset Council’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for working age people.
The Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme is a discount that helps people on low incomes pay their council tax bill.
The consultation began on Wednesday 13 September 2023 and will be open for 6 weeks, closing on Wednesday 25 October 2023.
Residents can have their say by completing the survey on our website: https://consultation.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/consultation-and-engagement/counciltax/
The proposed new scheme aims to make it easier for residents to understand and access, work better with the Universal Credit system and take away the need for constant changes to awards, making it easier to manage. These changes only affect working age people and, if adopted, would come into effect from 1 April 2024.
Requirements for a council tax reduction will change to an income-based matrix, taking into account a residents’ income and how many dependents they have, replacing the current means tested system. The proposals exclude some benefits from the calculation of income, protecting applicants who need support whilst receiving other benefits.
Proposals also include restricting reductions to a council tax band E level, meaning that any applicants who live in a band F, G or H property will have their entitlement calculated at a band E level.
Under the existing scheme, residents with savings of up to £16,000 and a low income, may be eligible for the discount, the proposed new scheme lowers this to a capital limit of £6,000.
Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council said:
“The Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme helps to support residents most in need with their council tax bill, and these proposed changes help us to target the support in a clear and easy to understand way.
“The existing scheme is largely based on the previous Council Tax Benefit system that was in place before the introduction of Council Tax Reduction in 2013 so it’s time to replace this with a new scheme which works in line with other existing benefit systems such as Universal Credit.
“The proposed new scheme will allow us to give those most in need of support a reduction of up to 100 per cent of their council tax bill, an increase from 90 per cent under current arrangements.
“I encourage residents to have their say and all feedback on our proposals will be appreciated.”
More information about the proposals and the survey can be found here: https://consultation.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/consultation-and-engagement/counciltax/
Alternative formats of the consultation are available, if required. Please contact benefits@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
