Residents in Calderdale claiming Single Person Discount on their council tax are being asked to confirm their current living arrangements.
The full council tax bill assumes there are two adults living in a property. If there is only one adult living there, their council tax can reduce by 25%.
Some people may be eligible for this discount and not realise it, while others may still be claiming when their living arrangements have changed.
Calderdale Council is carrying out a full review of everyone currently claiming the discount, to make sure they are still eligible. Letters will be sent out to a number of properties in the borough claiming the discount, and residents will be asked to clarify that they are still the sole adult resident of their property.
Although the majority of people claiming the discount will still be eligible, it’s likely that there will be a number of people whose circumstances have changed since initially claiming.
It’s important that everyone receiving the letter replies. If no response is received, the Single Person Discount will be removed and further investigations may be carried out.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Marcus Thompson, said:
“If you are the sole adult occupant in a property, you receive a 25% discount on your council tax, but it’s important that only those people eligible for a reduction in their council tax receive it.
“By carrying out this review we are hoping to identify those who are claiming when they shouldn’t be, whether this is because it has slipped their mind or if they are deliberately defrauding the system.
“Not only will this be a way of keeping our records up to date it will also be a way of allowing our residents to notify us if there has been a change in their circumstances.”
We’d also like to hear from you if you think you’re eligible to receive Single Person Discount but don’t currently. To complete an application form visit http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/council/counciltax/discounts or call 01422 288003.