Council Tax Support Scheme simplified from April 1

The bands will decide the percentage reduction that is applied to the council tax bill, making it less complicated for customers whose income regularly fluctuates by a small amount.

The bands will be based on the number of people in a household and their total weekly net income. The maximum council tax reduction to be applied will be 65%.

Supporting safeguards are built into the Council Tax Support Scheme to protect the most vulnerable customers. A number of incomes received, such as disability and carers income, are disregarded from the income calculation.

If the level of household income received remains within the same income band, the award of Council Tax Support remains unchanged.

Cllr Stephen Harness, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Resources and Assets, said: “The introduction of the new banding scheme will make it much easier for households whose income goes up or down by a few pounds each week.

“Previously this required people to report a change of circumstances each time. However, the new banding scheme provides more flexibility and will only require households to report a change if their income goes outside the parameters of a band.”

For more information and details of the bands please visit the NELC website at Council Tax support - NELC | NELC