Latest news with #CouncilTaxReduction
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Parents are getting £75 per child in free cash and Asda vouchers this week – are you eligible?
Plus, other help you can receive if you're on a low income HELPING HAND Parents are getting £75 per child in free cash and Asda vouchers this week – are you eligible? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of households will soon be able to get their hands on £75 in cash or Asda vouchers to help with the cost of living. The help comes as part of the Government's Household Support Fund, and aims to aid those who are most vulnerable. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Customers without bank accounts will receive Asda vouchers over the coming weeks Credit: Getty The scheme has been extended a number of times, with the latest round of payments running between April 2025 and March 2026. Each council in England is allocated a portion of the £742 million fund, which it then distributes to residents struggling with the rising cost of living. Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income. Thousands of households in Walsall will soon be able to benefit from the scheme, after the local council was allocated a chunk of the fund. In a statement posted on Facebook, the council stated: "This week (week commencing 15 July 2025) we will make a one-off direct payment of £75 per child to families in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. "Families will not need to apply for these payments. "This is to support families over the holiday period. There are a small number of customers without bank accounts who will receive Asda Vouchers over the coming weeks. "Where we do not hold bank details, payments will be posted to Council Tax accounts where customers can then request a refund." What if I don't live in Walsall? The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England. So, if you don't live in Walsall but are struggling financially or are on benefits you will likely be eligible for help. Disability benefit explained - what you can claim This is because the fund was originally set up to help those on low incomes or classed as vulnerable. What type of help you can get will vary but it could range from a free cash payment to supermarket vouchers. It's worth bearing in mind, because the new round of the HSF has only just opened, you might not be able to apply for help yet. However, it's worth keeping an eye on your local council's website or social media channels. Most councils have pages on their websites dedicated to their HSF as well. You might be able to find it by typing in the name of your council then "Household Support Fund" into Google search. You may have to apply for help through the HSF or you may be contacted directly by your council. Some local authorities send letters to your home to let you know about next steps you need to take. Other help if you're on a low income It's worth checking if you're eligible for benefits if you haven't already - it could boost your bank balance by thousands of pounds a year. If you're struggling with the cost of food, check where your nearest food bank is, to help you get cupboard staples for less. The Trussell Trust has hundreds of food banks across the UK, and you can find your nearest one here - Meanwhile, if you have fallen behind on your energy bills, you might be able to get a grant to wipe any debt. British Gas and Octopus Energy, the UK's two biggest energy firms, both run schemes offering customers grants worth up to £2,000. You might be able to apply for a free grant through a local charity as well. Charity Turn2Us has a free-to-use grants search tool on its website which you can find here -
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New call for all people over State Pension age to get a Council Tax discount
An online petition is calling for State Pension incomes to be taken into account when calculating Council Tax bills. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? More than 5,200 people have signed an online petition calling for a Council Tax discount scheme to be introduced for every person over State Pension age. Petition creator David Papworth argues that pensioner incomes are not being taken into account when it comes to calculating Council Tax bills. The 'legislate for a Council Tax discount for all pensioners' petition has been posted on the UK Government's petitions-parliament website. The campaigner states: 'I feel that current Council Tax rates do not take pension incomes into account. This means some pensioners are having to pay what I think is a very significant percentage of their pension towards Council Tax. 'When many pensioners have worked for 50 odd years, paid into a pension, bought their own house, then retired on a lower income, I do not think they should have to pay such a significant amount of Council Tax.' At 10,000 signatures of support the petition is entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view the full petition online here. Council Tax bills in Scotland have risen by as much as 15.6 per cent (Falkirk) this year as local authorities struggle with mounting debts. Water bills have also gone up by 9.9 per cent, which means households are now paying an extra £3.68 each month this year for water and wastewater services. However, people on a low income, student households and those with a disability or caring responsibilities may be unaware of the Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is only available north of the border. The latest figures from the Scottish Government show 458,120 people were receiving a Council Tax Reduction in March 2025 , saving an average of over £850 a year. People can check whether they are eligible for a Council Tax Reduction through or by contacting their local council. Below is everything you need to know about who might be eligible for a Council Tax saving. 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
10-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Check for Council Tax discount of up to £850 to help cut cost of household bills
Nearly half a million households in Scotland are receiving a Council Tax Reduction on their annual bill. The latest figures from the Scottish Government show 458,120 households were receiving support through the Council Tax Reduction scheme in March, 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 in 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 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
04-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Boost your household income by checking for unclaimed cash or discounts this summer
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed last month 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. Despite energy bills falling by seven per cent on July 1, they still 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 missing out on 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 this 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 458,120 households (one in five) were eligible for a Council Tax Reduction in March - 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 over 700,000 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. Expert help and advice is also available from: 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: What benefits you could get How to claim How your benefits will be affected if you start work 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. 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
24-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Parents can get free food vouchers over the school holidays - see if you qualify
The help is part of the Household Support Fund, which is a pot of cash that is used by local councils to provide an extra financial boost to struggling residents Parents in Bristol with children who get free school meals will receive food vouchers over the school holidays. Bristol City Council has allocated funding from the Household Support Fund to help struggling families. The Household Support Fund is awarded to local councils, with the money then distributed to local residents who are on low incomes or in need of extra help. It is down to each local authority to decide what help it wants to offer - but usually, households are given vouchers or cash grants that don't need to be paid back. Bristol City Council has confirmed that families in receipt of free school meals will get food vouchers during all school holidays until at least March 2026. The vouchers will be sent from your child's school by email. If you believe you should be eligible but you don't receive an email, you should contact the school directly. Get cost of living tips straight to your WhatsApp! As the cost of living crisis continues to burn a hole in people's pockets, the Mirror has launched its very own Money WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest cost of living advice and money-saving tips straight to your phone. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Graham Clapp, head of revenue and benefits at Bristol Council, said: 'That's a £15 voucher per child per week for the May, October and February half terms, £30 per child for the Christmas holidays and £90 per child for the summer holidays. That works out at about 60% of the fund.' If you're not a Bristol resident, it is worth checking what support your local council can offer you through the Household Support Fund. For example, Ribble Valley Borough Council is awarding food vouchers worth up to £500 to eligible households that have a combined household income of less than £35,000 per year. You can get a £200 voucher if you live alone, £300 if you live in a households with two or more adults, or £500 for households with children. City of Doncaster Council is providing help to households that are in receipt of certain benefits, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Universal Credit and free school meals. If you're in a household with one dependent child, you will get a £100 payment for food, while £200 will be paid for two dependent children, and £300 for three dependent children. The council described a dependant child as one you are receiving Child Benefit for. A single payment will be made for energy bills to households that meet the eligibility criteria. Hartlepool Borough Council is awarding £100 food vouchers to all households where a child is aged between two and 19 and is eligible for free school meals. Households with pensioners who are in receipt of council tax support will get £100 in bank payments or food vouchers later this year.
