[Kizzy]

Got a letter this morning from Leeds city council, apparently due to the governments abolition of the council tax benefit scheme in April 2013 there will be a shortfall of up to £6 million.
So far the government have said that pensioners will remain protected.

They are asking for opinions, do they..
opt 1
cut CT benefits for claimants by 30% by putting in no money reserved for other services
OR
opt 2
cut CT benefit for claimant by 10% and use money from other services?

Those on JSA previously exempt will now have to pay on opt 1, £16.29 per month
and on opt 2, £5.43 per month (based on Band A)

Has anyone else had a similar letter from their local council?

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by kizzy

Got a letter this morning from Leeds city council, apparently due to the governments abolition of the council tax benefit scheme in April 2013 there will be a shortfall of up to £6 million.
So far the government have said that pensioners will remain protected.

They are asking for opinions, do they..
opt 1
cut CT benefits for claimants by 30% by putting in no money reserved for other services
OR
opt 2
cut CT benefit for claimant by 10% and use money from other services?

Those on JSA previously exempt will now have to pay on opt 1, £16.29 per month
and on opt 2, £5.43 per month (based on Band A)

Has anyone else had a similar letter from their local council?

I used to pay it even when i was not working.

[Vicky.]

Havent had one yet, expecting one soon though. Would love to know where jobseekers are gunna find this extra money from, given that some will have to pay the bedroom tax also and they only get something like £70 per week to begin with. I expect crime levels will rise dramatically when all these changes come in.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Havent had one yet, expecting one soon though. Would love to know where jobseekers are gunna find this extra money from, given that some will have to pay the bedroom tax also and they only get something like £70 per week to begin with. I expect crime levels will rise dramatically when all these changes come in.

I think you are 100% correct in that Vicky, these reforms are extremely badly planned and also it would seem to me very unfairly too.

[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Havent had one yet, expecting one soon though. Would love to know where jobseekers are gunna find this extra money from, given that some will have to pay the bedroom tax also and they only get something like £70 per week to begin with. I expect crime levels will rise dramatically when all these changes come in.

I had this letter, misread it at first, but it is on the same lines as Kizzy's. Completely dismayed to be honest. Either I find a job before next April or I turn to crime (not even joking)!

Currently I receive £71 per week JSA. Out of that is taken £8 per week as my washing machine packed up a few months back and I got a social loan to buy a new one, so that is the repayment amount, least it is interest free - small comfort tbh. Then on top of that next April I'll be faced with having to also pay £11 per week for the Bedroom Tax, and approx £4 per week for Council Tax!! £23 from £71 will leave £48, ok I also get child benefit and a small amount of child tax credit, but fooking hell, they must be having a giraffe I feel so down and seriously stressed out by this prospect.

JSA is stated as being "the minimum possible amount the law states you need to live on" Yet they want to take a third away from those who need it most. Bastards.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by *Kate*

JSA is stated as being "the minimum possible amount the law states you need to live on" Yet they want to take a third away from those who need it most. Bastards.

Yeah...also why I dont understand 'sanctions'

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by *Kate*

I had this letter, misread it at first, but it is on the same lines as Kizzy's. Completely dismayed to be honest. Either I find a job before next April or I turn to crime (not even joking)!

Currently I receive £71 per week JSA. Out of that is taken £8 per week as my washing machine packed up a few months back and I got a social loan to buy a new one, so that is the repayment amount, least it is interest free - small comfort tbh. Then on top of that next April I'll be faced with having to also pay £11 per week for the Bedroom Tax, and approx £4 per week for Council Tax!! £23 from £71 will leave £48, ok I also get child benefit and a small amount of child tax credit, but fooking hell, they must be having a giraffe I feel so down and seriously stressed out by this prospect.

JSA is stated as being "the minimum possible amount the law states you need to live on" Yet they want to take a third away from those who need it most. Bastards.

Awwww! You will find a job, Kate. Just never give up!

[Kizzy]

I need a job! like nowwwwww

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by kizzy

I need a job! like nowwwwww

What kind of job are you looking for, kizzy?

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

What kind of job are you looking for, kizzy?

One with ****loads of money so I can give it all to Leeds city council

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by kizzy

One with ****loads of money so I can give it all to Leeds city council

I work in a factory. I really enjoy it and it's a great place to work.

[fruit_cake]

there's plenty of jobs going in my house, the money's totally crap though

[Kizzy]

Anyone else had letters relating to council tax for their area, Are they much different?
Was wondering if the changes could be as some counci's have a higher percentage of benefit claimants there may be a slight difference.

[Mrluvaluva]

That's ridiculous. Does that apply to people on ESA too?

[arista]

"£23 from £71 will leave £48, ok I also get child benefit and a small amount of child tax credit"

£48 means you will have spend at Discount Foods only
You will stay alive
Stay Strong Kate.

[Vicky.]

Durhams not taking it out on the low paid/benefit claimants. They reckon its unfair to penalise people for being out of work, sick or low paid, while letting pensioners be exempt. I agree with them.

Instead of making the poorest pay, our council is going to stop/reduce the discounts that people get on empty properties, and second homes.

(havent had a letter...not sure if everyone gets one or only if it will affect them.. but been stalking their website to see what they are doing )



http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Servi...ServiceId=8964

If the council chooses to apply the reduction, then the rest of the claimants who are of working age would need to pay more to make up the reduction in the council’s income. This would mean they would need to start paying around 20 per cent of their Council Tax. Given that the majority of working age people receiving Council Tax Benefit are not in employment or are in low paid work, they will have to meet this from extremely limited budgets.

On the other hand, if the council choose to remove the discretionary Council Tax discounts currently available to owners of certain categories of empty properties, the council would have an additional source of income which could offset the loss in grant.

Durham County Council is aware of the very difficult economic situation faced by many of our households across the county. If we passed on the reduction in Council Tax support to these working age householders, it could significantly add to the problems they face.