York Council begins checks on households receiving single person discount
Council Tax recipients must confirm eligibility or face changes in payment
City of York Council is starting checks this month on households receiving a single person discount on their Council Tax.
The council plans a regular review to determine which households are entitled to the 25 percent discount offered to individuals who live alone.
Households benefiting from the Single Person Discount will receive a letter requiring them to confirm their eligibility within two weeks.
Failure to respond will result in a reminder notice with a new deadline.
If the second deadline is also missed, the discount will be removed and a revised Council Tax bill will be issued with payments spread across the remaining financial months.
Residents who respond to the review and whose circumstances have changed will have the adjustments reflected in their new bill, which will spread payments over the financial year.
Additional checks may be carried out to verify the information provided, and necessary changes will be made.
Letters sent will feature the City of York Council logo.
Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance at City of York Council, said: “We know that circumstances can change so we need to check in with people receiving a discount. We also know that the cost of living crisis is making bills tricky for many and we do offer support.
“Following this review, we will change payment arrangements for those who are no longer eligible for the single person’s discount. Making these checks means we can change payments quickly when needed and help to avoid debt problems.
For information about Council Tax support, including the single person’s discount, visit www.york.gov.uk/DiscountsAndExemptions .
Help is available at www.york.gov.uk/BenefitsAdvice or by calling 01904 551556.