Service Description: Housing Benefit is designed to help you pay your rent if you are on a low income. The amount of benefit due to you is worked out by looking at how much money you have coming in, your personal circumstances and how much rent you have to pay, and the amount of savings you have. Council Tax Benefit helps people on low-income pay their Council Tax. If awarded, Council Tax Benefit is deducted from your Council Tax liability, reducing your bill. To claim Council Tax Benefit you must be the person liable to pay the Council Tax bill for a property.
Answer: There is currently a consultation out by the Government looking at reform of Council Tax Benefit. The consultation by the Department for Local Government and communities (DCLG) seeks the views of interested parties. The proposal is to reduce Government expenditure on Council Tax Benefit by 10% however at this time indications are that pensioners will be protected at current levels.