Changes to Council Tax Benefit

Until recently the rules about Council Tax Benefit were set nationally, and were applied in the same way wherever you live. This has now changed.

From April 2013, council tax benefit (CTB) will be abolished and replaced by a local means-tested council tax relief scheme called the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

If you're of working age and have had all your council tax paid because you're on a low income, it's likely you'll have to pay some of your council tax bill in the future. How much you will have to pay will depend on the area where you live.

If you're a pensioner, you'll get the same amount of support as you did under the previous Council Tax Benefit rules, as long as your circumstances haven't changed.

In England, local councils will get 10 per cent less money from the government and will have to find savings when they start running their new schemes. Each local council will be able to decide who to give support to. This means there may be big differences in the level of support available in different parts of the country.

To find out more about how you might be affected, check your council website or consult your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau. For more information go to the Citizens Advice website

Your nearest CAB office is in Market Square, Thame

Adviceline: 08444 111 444 or 03 00 33 00 650 (Mobile)