harrow mencap- council tax accessible booklet f 28.6.12
DESCRIPTION
Easy read format of Harrow Council tax Benefit ConsultationTRANSCRIPT
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Have your say
Council Tax Support Scheme Consultation Document
This Document has been made in an easy read version by Harrow Mencap 020 8868 8484
Why are we consulting?
The Government is planning to take away Council Tax Benefit.
All council’s have been asked to make up new schemes.
The Government will give money for the scheme but this money
will be less than before.
This means we will not have as much money for the scheme next
year and even less over the next few years.
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This will make a big difference to the money we can give out.
All our residents will have the chance to have their say
about these changes.
We will be asking you your views from
Monday 11 June to Friday 21 September 2012
on what the new Council Tax Support Scheme should look like.
This booklet will give you all the information you need.
A questionnaire is included at the back of the booklet, please fill it in
and send it back to us by post.
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What is Council Tax?
Council Tax is money people give to the council. It is the council’s job to
collect the money. This money pays for things like, collecting rubbish
bins, keeping the streets clean and for education. Some money also
goes to the police, fire and public transport services.
What is Council Tax Benefit?
Council Tax Benefit is money given to the council by the government, to
help people without much money to pay their Council Tax.
What are the changes to Council Tax Benefit?
Council Tax Benefit will be taken away from next April.
Council’s will have to make a new scheme that is due to start on
1st April 2013
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There will be no change to the amount pensioners get.
How the new rules affect the most vulnerable must be looked at
by the council.
The new scheme must encourage people to go to work.
We want your views
From April 2013 we need to save a lot of money.
People below pension age, who get Council Tax Benefit now will
probably have to pay something towards their Council Tax bill.
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We want to ask your views on which groups of people the Council
should support as a priority.
www.harrow.gov.uk/ctbconsultation
Or telephone: 020 8416 8266
Everybody who is not a pensioner and gets Council Tax Benefit will be
affected by the changes. However some may be affected more than
others.
These are the people who will be affected.
Families with children
Lone parents
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Carers
Full time and part time workers
Disabled people
Single people and childless couples
There are lots of Council Tax Benefit rules that can make a difference
the amount of help a person can get.
We need to make sure we give support to our most vulnerable people.
We want to ask your views on which groups you feel will be more
affected.
This will help us to look at how we can help those most affected.
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We have listed below the rules that will help the Council to save the
money they need. Some of these rules will have to be used together to
help with making the savings needed.
RULES
1. Everybody to pay something towards Council Tax
Some people have all of their Council Tax paid. If this was changed and
everybody had to pay some money towards Council Tax, this could
make all the savings needed.
2. Increase in money paid for Council Tax
Some people have to pay a bit of money towards their Council Tax even
if they do not have a lot of money. If these people pay a bit more money
than they do now, this will make up some of the savings needed. These
are often people who are working.
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3. Stopping extra help with Council Tax
People who work extra hours get some more help with paying their
Council Tax. These are people who work full time, disabled people, or
single parents who work part time. If this extra help stopped, it would
make up some of the savings needed.
4. Include Child Benefit as an Income
People with children get Child Benefit (money for their children). This
money is not included as money coming in (income). If this money was
included, this would make up some of the savings needed.
5. Increase money paid by other adults
Some people get less help towards their Council Tax if they have other
adults living with them who do not have a lot of money. If the other
adults paid more towards Council Tax, this would make up some of the
savings needed.
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6. Changing the amount of savings a person can have People cannot get help with their Council Tax if they have more than
£16,000 saved. If the amount of savings a person was allowed went
down, this would make up some of the savings needed.
7. Changing priority with property sizes
People can get all of their Council Tax paid in any size house. If a
person was only given the amount of help for a smaller house, this
would make up some of the savings needed.
8. Stop help for other adults in the household
People who have enough money to be able to pay their Council Tax but
live with another adult who does not have a lot of money can get help
with paying their Council Tax bill. If this help stopped, it would make up
some of the savings needed.
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Below are some examples of how these rules could be put together to
save the money needed:
Example 1
People would only get up to 75% help with their Council Tax bill.
(Rule 1)
Example 2 - Using all of the rules shown under here
People would only get up to 80% help with their Council Tax bill.
(Rule 1)
Instead of 20%, people would pay 25% of any extra money they
have to their Council Tax Bill (Rule 2)
Help would be stopped for people who work longer hours. (Rule3)
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People with more than £6,000 in savings would not get help with
paying their Council Tax. (Rule 6)
Example 3 - Using all of the rules shown under here
People would only get up to 75% help with their Council Tax bill.
(Rule 1)
Other people living in a house would pay more for their Council
Tax bill. ( Rule 5)
People with more than £10,000 in savings would not get help with
paying their Council Tax. (Rule 6)
This would allow people that worked to keep £10 a week more of
what they had earned.
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Example 4 - Using all of the rules shown under here
People would only get up to 80% help with their Council Tax bill.
(Rule 1)
People with children would have their Child Benefit included in the
money that they have. ( Rule 4)
Information on other possible changes can be found on the:
website at: www.harrow.gov.uk/ctbconsultation
or by Telephoning: 020 8416 8266
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Helping you to understand what effect the changes might have
Here are some real life situations. These may help you understand what
affect the changes might have for different groups of people using the
rules.
MR AND MRS V
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1. Now:
Mr and Mrs V do not have any children
Mr V has a disability and gets disability living allowance
Mrs V works 21 hours a week
Mr and Mrs V live in a council house. They get most of their rent paid,
but have to pay £3 each week.
Their Council Tax bill is £25.46 each week. They get £24.56 from the
council. This means they have to pay 90p each week. ( £3.91 each
month)
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How the examples would affect Mr and Mrs V
Example 1 – Mr and Mrs V would get £19.57 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £ 28.34 each month
Example 2 - Mr and Mrs V would get £20.87 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £ 22.68 each month
Example 3 - Mr and Mrs V would get £19.57 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £ 28.34 each month
Example 4 - Mr and Mrs V would get £20.87 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £ 22.68 each month
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MRS W
2. Now
Mrs W is a single parent and has 2 children under 10years
Mrs W works for herself
Mrs W lives in a 2 bedroom flat. She gets most of her rent paid, but
she has to pay £20.00 each week.
Her Council Tax bill is £25.46 each week. She gets £20.54 from the
council. Mrs W pays £4.92 each week. ( £21.38 each month)
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How the examples would affect Mrs W
Example 1 - Mrs W would get £16.27 from the council each week.
Meaning she would pay £42.68 each month
Example 2 – Mrs W would get £14.12 from the council each week.
Meaning she would pay £52.04 each month
Example 3 – Mrs W would get £14.62 from the council each week.
Meaning she would pay £49.85 each month
Example 4 – Mrs W would get £11.49 from the council each week.
Meaning she would pay £63.46 each month
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MR AND MRS S
3. Now
Mr and Mrs S have four children under 12 years
Mr and Mrs S are both disabled
Mr and Mrs S get Income Support
They rent a 3 bedroom house. They get most of their rent paid, but
have to pay £5.77 each week
Their Council Tax bill is £35.00 each week. They get £35.00 from the
council. This means they pay nothing each month.
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How the examples would affect Mr and Mrs S
Example 1- Mr and Mrs S would get £26.91 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £38.97 each month
Example 2 – Mr and Mrs S would get £28.70 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £31.18 each month
Example 3 – Mr and Mrs S would get £26.91 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £38.97 each month
Example 4 - Mr and Mrs S would get £28.70 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £31.18 each month
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MR AND MRS N
4. Now
Mr and Mrs N have 2 children under 10 years
Mr N works 35 hours each week. They have an income of £339.11
each week.
They rent a 3 bedroom house. They get most of their rent paid, but
have to pay £35.74 each week.
Their Council Tax bill is £28.64 each week. They get £24.74 from the
council. Mr and Mrs N pay £3.90 each week. (£16.95 each month)
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How the examples would affect Mr and Mrs N
Example 1 – Mr and Mrs N would get £20.81 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £37.12 each month
Example 2 – Mr and Mrs N would get £17.70 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £50.63 each month
Example 3 – Mr and Mrs N would get £22.02 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £31.89 each month
Example 4 – Mr and Mrs N would get £15.54 from the council each
week. Meaning they would pay £60.03 each month
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MR A
5. Now
.
Mr A has just lost his job and gets Jobs Seekers Allowance
Mr A has £9,500 saved
Mr A lives on his own in a 1 bedroom flat. He gets most of his rent
paid, but has to pay £9.10 each week
His Council Tax bill is £16.71 each week. Mr A gets £13.91 from the
council. He pays £2.80 each week. (£12.17 each month)
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How the examples would affect Mr A
Example 1 - Mr A would get £10.78 from the council each week.
Meaning he would pay £27.56 each month
Example 2 – Mr A would get nothing from the council each week.
Meaning he would pay all his Council Tax each month
Example 3 – Mr A would get £12.84 from the council each week.
Meaning he would pay £18.60 each month
Example 4 – Mr A would get £11.64 from the council each week.
Meaning he would pay £23.84 each month
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How different people will be
affected by the different
examples
Smaller Families
They would pay less money with
example 3
They would pay more money with
example 2
Larger families
They would pay less money with
example 2
They would pay more money with
example 4
Single parents
They would pay less money with
example 2
They would pay more money with
example 1
Carers
They would pay less money with
example 1
They would pay more money with
example 4
Workers
They would pay less money with
example 3
They would pay more money with
example 4
People with disabilities
They would pay less money with
example 4
They would pay more money with
example 3
Single people
They would pay less money with
example 4
They would pay more money with
example 3.
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How you can give your views?
We will be talking to you from Monday 11 June 2012, through to
Friday 21 September 2012.
There are lots of ways you can give us your views.
Questionnaires - You can start by filling in the questionnaire at
the back of this booklet.
Road Shows and ‘Go to’ Days - Please come along and talk to
us when we are out, we’ll be around the area at the following times
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Thursday 5th July - 10.00 am to 4.00 pm – Town Centre, outside St. George’s Centre, St Ann’s Road Saturday 14th July - 11.00 am to 5.00 pm - Roxeth Show, Roxeth Recreation Ground, Pitcairn’s Path, Eastcote Road, South Harrow HA2 8LG Thursday 19th July - 10.00 am to midday - Chandos Children’s Centre, 74-78 Chandos Crescent, Edgware, HA8 6HL Saturday 28th July - 12 noon to 4.00pm - Town Centre, outside the St. George’s Centre, St. Ann’s Road Tuesday 7th August - 12 noon to 3.00 pm - Wealdstone Library/Red Brick Café, The Wealdstone Centre, 38/40 High Street, Wealdstone, HA3 7AE Saturday 11th August - 12 noon to 3.00pm – Town Centre, outside the St George’s Centre, St Ann’s Road Saturday 18th August - 12 noon to 4.00pm – Rayners Lane, outside Rayners Lane Station Friday 7th September - 10am to 1.00 pm - Access Harrow, Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow HA1 2XY
Discussion Groups – We will be talking to people most affected
by the changes.
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Workshops/Meetings – We will be working with voluntary groups
in the area to make sure users and carers of their services are
given the chance to have their say.
Online – Visit www.harrow.gov.uk/ctbconsultation where you’ll
find all the information about the consultation, you can also
complete the questionnaire online.
Telephone Survey –We will be talking to some Council Tax
payers, Council Tax Benefit claimants and residents over the
telephone to find out their views.
Postal Survey – We will be carrying out a postal survey with our
Residents Panel.
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Contact us:
You can give your views in any of these ways:
Web: www.harrow.gov.uk/ctbconsultation
Telephone: 020 8416 8266 - Please note there will sometimes be an answer phone on this telephone. Please leave your name and telephone number and we will call you back.
Freepost: London Borough of Harrow,
Freepost,
P.O Box 730,
Civic Centre,
Harrow,
Middlesex
HA1 2DU
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lbharrow
Twitter: www.twitter.com/harrow_council
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How the decisions will be made
When the consultation is finished, the feedback will be
put together and given to our partners.
No one will know who the feedback is from. They will make sure
your feedback is used when deciding what the new scheme will
look like.
There will be a report given to a council meeting in November,
where the final decision on what the scheme is going to look like
will be made.
We will write a report about the views we have collected and how
they have been used. This will be free for you to read if you would
like to.
We will write to you personally if you are going to be affected.