Up to 1.4 million eligible older people miss out on council tax benefit

Get an application and advice from your local Benefits Enquiry Office

Currently up to 1.4 million eligible older people miss out on Council Tax Benefit, resulting in up to £580million remaining unclaimed each year - an average of £7.50 a week, or £390 a year. It's possible that you could be one of them.

You may be able to receive this Benefit if you are responsible for paying the bill and you have a low income - this is called the 'main Council Tax Benefit'. But some people will receive benefit even if they do not have a low income. If you are responsible and live with one or more other people who have a low income the 'Second Adult Rebate' may apply.

If you have a partner you will be seen as jointly responsible for paying your Council Tax Bill. Therefore any benefit will be worked out based on your joint savings and income - but only one of you should apply.

In some cases two or more people living together who are not 'partners' will be responsible for paying the Council Tax - such as sisters or brothers who might jointly own their home. In this case each can claim benefit on their share of the bill based on their own savings and income

How your benefit is calculated

The main Council Tax Benefit is worked out by looking at the amount you currently have to pay and calculating your weekly income - pension, earnings and income from savings. The value of your home is not part of this calculation, nor are certain types of income such as disability allowance or the guarantee part of Pension Credit,

However, if you have more than £16,000 in savings and capital and do not receive the guarantee part of the Pension Credit, you may be ineligible - but it's always best to check

The above calculation is then compared with what as know as the 'applicable amount' that someone in your individual circumstances is expected to live on. The maximum Benefit you can get is %100 of your bill - after any discounts or reductions such as the %25 discount for living alone.

However, there may be deductions made to your Benefit if you have someone living with you full time who is not your partner or child. This is called a 'non-dependant' deduction and it's made under the assumption that someone such as an adult son or daughter will contribute towards your housing costs.

How to claim

If you've applied for Pension Credit you should have been sent a claim form for Council Tax Benefit. If you are not claiming Pension Credit you can get an application form and advice from your Local Benefits Enquiry Office.

Before the council can decide your claim they may need to see evidence of your income and savings - such as pension books and bank statements. Once this information has been received your claim should be determined within 14 days - but it can take longer.

Here are the contact details for all the Angus Council Local Benefit Enquiry Offices:

Arbroath ACCESS Office
Old Parish Church, Kirk Square, DD11 1DX
Tel: (01241) 434212

Brechin ACCESS Office
36 Bank Street, DD9 6AX
Tel: (01356) 666106

Carnoustie ACCESS Office
26 High Street, DD7 6AP
Tel: (01241) 803114

Forfar ACCESS Office
Municipal Buildings, Castle Street, DD8 3AF
Tel: (01307) 473888

Kirriemuir ACCESS Office
5 Bank Street, DD8 4BE
Tel: (01575) 576933

Monifieth
Invertay House, Maule Street, DD5 4JG
Tel: (01382) 535333

Montrose ACCESS Office
Town House, High Street, DD10 8QW
Tel: (01674) 664122

Information obtained from Age Concern Factsheet 17 'Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit' April 2006.www.ageconcern.org.uk