An online petition calling for the UK Government to enact a law exempting all pensioners in Britain from Council Tax has garnered over 3,600 signatures.
The petition’s creator, Michael Thompson, contends that “current provisions only ensure that pensioners on the lowest incomes receive full relief”, leaving those with modest incomes without additional financial aid.
The petition, titled ‘Exempt All Pensioners from Council Tax‘, is hosted on the Petitions Parliament website and argues: “We believe Council Tax is increasingly unaffordable. Many pensioners often rely on a fixed income and face growing living costs, which may exacerbate financial pressures while pensioners continue to struggle.”
The petition says: “We believe exempting all pensioners from Council Tax isn’t just compassionate but is also fiscally responsible. We believe it could provide relief to a vulnerable demographic and help uphold public services by ensuring fairer funding models.”
If the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, it will warrant a written response from the UK Government. If it amasses 100,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee will consider it for debate in Parliament, reports the Daily Record.
Council Tax Assistance
The CTR scheme considers a household’s income, savings, and personal circumstances, and is accessible to all, including those not on benefits.
Entitlement hinges on income, savings and other factors such as the presence of children in the household, if anyone residing there has a disability, or if the household receives certain state benefits.
These include:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance
If you cohabit with another adult who isn’t your partner, your level of CTR may differ, as the other person is expected to contribute towards the council tax bill. Even those not on benefits can apply if they have a low income and savings under £16,000.
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 regarding your eligibility and how to apply for an exemption.
Could you qualify for a Council Tax discount?
There are certain situations where you might be eligible for a reduction on your Council Tax, with the amount of discount varying based on your specific circumstances.
If you’re living alone
Council Tax is typically calculated assuming that two or more people reside in each property. If you live alone, you should contact your local council to apply for a discount – you could receive a 25 per cent reduction, irrespective of your financial situation.
If you share your home with someone under 18 or a student
Council Tax isn’t calculated for anyone aged under 18, full-time students, student nurses, and some apprentices or trainees.
If you’re a carer
Carers who provide care for someone in the household for at least 35 hours per week and meet additional criteria may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes. Contact your local authority to find out their eligibility criteria.
However, this doesn’t apply if the person receiving care is the carer’s partner, or if they are the carer’s child aged under 18.
If there are significant changes to your home’s value
You might be able to have your home moved to a lower band if its value has decreased. This could be the case if you’ve made adaptations for a disabled person, or if a motorway has been constructed nearby.
The band might also be lowered if a room in the house is dedicated to equipment used by a disabled person on a daily basis.
If you change your payment method
While the total annual amount remains unchanged, you can request to have your bill divided over 12 months instead of 10. This allows you to spread the cost and lower your monthly expenses.
Alternatively, if you’re able to pay the entire bill in one go, it’s worth checking with your local council to see if a discount is available.
