2016 - 2017 Council Tax Support scheme
This consultation has now closed.
Date of consultation: Monday, August 17, 2015 - Friday, September 25, 2015
Consultation summary
What is Council Tax Support?
Council Tax Support helps those people who are on low or no income to pay their Council Tax. If you meet the criteria, you receive a contribution towards your Council Tax which is paid directly into your Council Tax account reducing the amount you have to pay.
This year, the Council Tax Support scheme is funded from two sources:
- 90% of the cost of the scheme is paid by Central Government as a grant to Stroud District Council; and
- Stroud District Council has to fund the remaining shortfall of 10%
Stroud District’s share of the funding shortfall is only a small proportion of your Council Tax bill. The funding shortfall also affects the Gloucestershire County Council and Police Authority.
2016 - 2017 Council Tax Support scheme - Stroud District Council - Citizen Space
The Government has stated that people who have reached state pension age will not be affected by any changes to the Council Tax Support scheme as they will be assessed under a national scheme which is similar to the old Council Tax Benefit scheme.
Approximately 52% of the people in Stroud who receive Council Tax Support are of pension age and, as such, are protected from any changes that might be made. However, this means that people of working age on low incomes could face a reduction of more than 25% in the help they receive with Council Tax so that benefits for people of pension age can be maintained.