Local Support for Council Tax - new claim | Scarborough Borough Council

Local Support for Council Tax - new claim

If you're on a low income you may qualify for Council tax benefit.

Do I qualify for Local Support for Council Tax?

If you are on a low income or receive a passported benefit such as Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based), Employment and Support Allowance (Income Based), Income Support, Guaranteed Pension Credit you may be entitled to help towards your council tax liability.

How much will I get?

You can do a trial calculation before making an application.

How do I apply?

You can fill in our online new claim form.

Alternatively you may wish to contact us and ask for an application; call in to any of our offices to collect an application form or print out and return a form.

Housing and/or Local Support for Council Tax application form

Working-age customers

If you get Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based), Income Support or making a claim for Employment and Support Allowance via the Jobcentre you can complete a HCTB1 claim form at the same time. You still need to complete one of Scarborough Borough Council’s application forms which are available at the Jobcentre. Visit the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website for more information.

Senior citizens

If you apply for Pension Credit you will receive a HCTB1 claim form in your application pack which should be completed and returned to us. Visit the pension service website for more information.

Can you help me fill in the claim form?

You can bring your claim form and/or documents to the Town Hall, Customer First Centre, St Nicholas Street on weekdays. You can also use any of the Area Offices or post these documents to us. We will copy and return original documents to you.

More help

If you feel that you would benefit from or require independent professional advice then there is a local office of the Scarborough and District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

April 2013 changes...

Localised Support for Council Tax (LSCT)

As part of Welfare Reform Council Tax Benefit was abolished and from 1 April 2013 replaced with a local scheme.

Scarborough Borough Council has created a local scheme based on the current rules, allowances and premiums as Council Tax Benefit but will limit the Council Tax liability used in the mean-test calculation to 91.5%.

This means for example for someone with a Council Tax liability of £100 per month receiving full Council Tax Benefit (currently) will have £8.50 per month to pay with the LSCT scheme from April 2013.

The LSCT scheme will mean reduced financial assistance for working age people towards paying their Council Tax bills from April 2013. Pensioners are fully protected at the same levels of support as they received under Council Tax Benefit.

Anyone currently in receipt of Council Tax Benefit will not have to make a separate claim for LSCT as all existing cases will be automatically recalculated under the new local scheme.

New LSCT claims and change of address/circumstance will continue to be made using Scarborough Borough Council claim forms, available online or at any Customer First office.

A copy of the Council’s approved LSCT scheme is available HERE.

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