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AIBU?

To think this is wrong re Council tax

179 replies

Dryjuice25 · 25/03/2013 14:24

I had a letter from the council to say now I will be paying council tax, whereas I didn't have to do this previously as I haven't got gainful employment. I have young children.I also have debts and I'm currently studying for exams.

I feel this is unfair and it's effectively a 10% benefit cut. Anyone agree? I have not seen this on the news so I think it's beingdone sneakily as this might cause an uproar with the unemployed who already live in poverty having their income cut this way whilst big corporations getaway with paying very litle or no tax at all due to various tax loopholes. I have 3 kids and a newborn. I get CTC two of the children and ex claim for one of the children. I am desperate for a job I could ask any mumsnetters to pm me with any flexible or child friendly job offers please and very angry to have my benefit cut in a sneaky way like this and there is nothng I can do about it.

Anyoone got any letters like this?AIBU to be angry about this? I don't mind paying for council tax although its a pain in the bum but dontexpect a tax demand on income support!!

Please flame me not

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Dryjuice25 · 25/03/2013 14:26

By the way I get £111 fortnighly and the council tax now is about £10 a month

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Loulybelle · 25/03/2013 14:27

I got mine, i've gotta pay £20 a month, for the year.

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prettypleasewithsugarontop · 25/03/2013 14:29

This has been on the news for months Hmm

I survive on a part ime wage and pay full coucil tax, just saying...

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Loulybelle · 25/03/2013 14:31

I got a letter months ago stating it was the case, so i expected it.

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happyinherts · 25/03/2013 14:31

It's not a bad percentage of your income though is it? £2.50 a week from £55.00??

A lot of low income households in work are paying over 10 percent of income out on council tax

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TidyDancer · 25/03/2013 14:32

Have you really not seen anything in the news about this?! It's been a HUGE story. Afaik, there has been quite a bit of prior warning about it.

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MissMogwi · 25/03/2013 14:35

Everyone has to start paying something towards their council tax now. If you don't mind me saying, you must be on more than £111 per fortnight, if you add up income support, CTC and child benefit? If not are you sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to?

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CockyFox · 25/03/2013 14:37

This has been on the news for months, I knew about it and it doesn't affect me. It is horrible though and lots and lots of people are going to struggle.

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ENormaSnob · 25/03/2013 14:38

If you are out of work with 4 children and only getting 111 every 2 weeks then I suggest you ask them to review your benefits because that doesn't sound right to me.

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Dryjuice25 · 25/03/2013 14:39

I live in a cave Grin and when I got out, there was the letter.

happyinherts when you put it like this it doesnt sound like a lot.But to me its stilla cut on income support. How many families survive on £52.50 a week?

Its not nice. Devisive I know but really out of order

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happyinherts · 25/03/2013 14:41

Fair enough dryjuice, but child benefit alone for four young ones would amount to more than £55 per week.

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Loulybelle · 25/03/2013 14:45

I get more than £111 for 1 child, it get, JSA, CTC, CB and HB. It sounds like your missing out on money.

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Dryjuice25 · 25/03/2013 14:48

I have 3 dc but claim for only 2 of them. Ex gets benefit for one dc. The other child is a baby so alot more expensive. So its the uniforms, hobbies[not necessary strictly speaking I know] food, energy bills, clothes travel etc. My redundancy money is running out fast too. It's quite gloomy and no jobs are sufficing as yet. So I dont want to pay the council tax. But I have no choice as it happens

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Loulybelle · 25/03/2013 14:50

Do all of them live with you?

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Dryjuice25 · 25/03/2013 14:51

I do get housing benefit but have to top it up withmy savings which are now quickly disappearing so I think its either I get a job fast if I'm lucky, or another trip to the benefit people and will have to cancel the holiday plans

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Mandy2003 · 25/03/2013 14:52

This financial year up to 6/4/13 I have been receiving Council Tax Benefit of £5.04 per week. For next year WTC and CTC are going up by a couple of quid and I'd be entitled to £4.84 per week.

In their infinite wisdom the council have decided not to pay any amounts less than £5.00 per week, leaving me to find an extra £20 per month. This was not publicised in the council's newsletter showing proposals for changes therefore no-one was able to contact their councillor to vote against it.

Is this fair? Is this reasonable? Is anybody else being penalised in this way?

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Dryjuice25 · 25/03/2013 14:53

Lou we share 50/50. But the newborn is with me all the time.

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olgaga · 25/03/2013 14:54

You definitely need to check your benefits. You can do it online here or here.

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ENormaSnob · 25/03/2013 14:54

No Mandy, that's neither fair nor reasonable imo.

Op, even for 2 children you should be getting more than that. Or do you mean the 55 per week is after expenses?

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Sirzy · 25/03/2013 14:54

Do only 2 of the children live with you?

I don't think it's unfair to expect everyone to pay it really, especially given you already get housing benefit therefore a lot of assistance with the living costs.

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Dryjuice25 · 25/03/2013 14:58

MandyThats what I mean. There is an element of sneakiness in it I feel.

Its so out of order to demand tax from the unemployed as most of us are in this situation through no fault of our own! Although its not too much money, its still a cut on income on the most vulnerable people.

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timidviper · 25/03/2013 14:59

I think this is part of the government trying to level the playing field between the unemployed and low paid workers. Not sure if it will work or not but it isn't right that that you might not pay if a working parent with the same income does.

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MikeChoccyCoatedLitoris · 25/03/2013 14:59

Personally I wouldnt call your situation poverty. I have been on benefits with two small children so I have experienced it. It was pleasant but I coped. I'm really not much better off atm though.

I work part time and pay 90% council tax. £89 a month. Also have 3 dc and a whole heap of debt.

Do I think its fair? Nope. But we just have to suck it up unfortunately.

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ENormaSnob · 25/03/2013 15:04

Can you clarify whether the £55 per week is before or after expenses?

Isn't cb alone about £30 for 2 children?

Then there's ctc, hb, ctb and income support?

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Mandy2003 · 25/03/2013 15:05

Mike - is your reduction from CTax less than £5 per week? Has your council sneaked in the rule like mine has?

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