Money guru Martin Lewis has warned pensioners who claim Pension Credit as well as the thousands of people who receive Universal Credit.
Martin has been campaigning on Council Tax discounts, trying urgently to get people who are eligible for a discount on their council tax bills of up to 100 percent to make sure they are actually getting the money off.
Martin said that thousands of people are eligible to get a discount on their monthly council tax bill, including state pensioners, people with ‘severe mental impairments’ and four associated conditions, and others who are carers or need help with daily living.
Every local council has different rules for how to claim the money and how much discount they offer, with between 25 percent off and 100 percent off depending on the reason you’re claiming and who else you live with, so you need to get in touch with your local authority to find out.
But, speaking on The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITVX and ITV1, Martin pointed out that this is not automatic and you don’t get the money unless you directly ask for it.
Martin Lewis said: “People think if they’re on Universal Credit or Pension Credit they’ll get everything that’s coming to them.
“You don’t.
“Council tax benefits, even if you’re getting Universal Credit, you MUST apply separately to your council to get it.
“And that is why so many are missing out. So if you are on a lower income, look at your council’s policy and see if you can apply to get this money, it’s crucially important.”
The government outlines how some people can get a discount for a disability.
It says via gov.uk: “You might be able to apply for a Council Tax discount or exemption if you or someone you live with is disabled [or] you might be able to apply for a discount on your Council Tax bill if you or someone you live with is severely mentally impaired.”
Those on Pension Credit can also get a 100 percent discount from their local authority. For example, Leeds Council says: “You can claim up to 100 percent discount on your council tax if you belong to a protected group.
“The size of your discount will depend on your income and situation. Protected groups are: pensioners; disabled people entitled to an Enhanced or Severe Disability Premium; lone parents responsible for one or more dependent children under five, they must not have a partner living with them; carers eligible for Carer’s Allowance; war widows and war pensioners, who must be in receipt of a War Widows Pension, War Disablement Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Payment.”
