Confused about benefit and Council Tax changes?

Size restrictions in social housing and cuts to Council Tax Benefit will hit thousands of people in Plymouth in less than a month’s time. Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance stands strong against these Government cuts and urges residents to get advice at an open day in March.

From April 2013 every household will be required to pay something towards their Council Tax bill. This is likely to affect 16,000 households in the city – some of which would not have paid anything towards their Council Tax bill previously.

The Government are also introducing size restrictions in social housing, having an impact on housing benefit. This will mean that the eligible rent for calculating housing benefit will be reduced by 14 per cent for customers who have one spare bedroom and 25 per cent for customers with 2 or more spare bedrooms.

Cabinet member for Finance, Councillor Mark Lowry said: “I’m absolutely outraged that the Government has made these ludicrous decisions. Introducing a bedroom tax, squeezing families into smaller properties and making them pay more towards their Council Tax is only going to worsen an already bad situation. I understand tough decisions need to be made – we make them every day – but this decision targets the individuals that need our support the most.”

To help support Plymouth residents Plymouth City Council is holding a free advice open day on Friday 8 March. People are invited to drop into the Plymouth Guildhall anytime from 10am to 4pm to talk to the experts about the changes being introduced.

Representatives from the Council, along with other support organisations including Advice Plymouth, Job Centre Plus and Plymouth Credit Union will be able to help with providing relevant information and advice.

The day will provide an opportunity to discuss the changes in more detail and how individuals will be directly affected. There will also be staff available that will be able to review personal circumstances to review eligibility for other support. For example, you may be eligible for help if you live with someone who has mental health and / or mobility related disabilities.

The Council will be holding two talks about benefit changes at 10.30am and 2.30pm for those who prefer to sit and listen. In addition to this Advice Plymouth will be hosting a talk on Money Management at 12pm.

Councillor Mark Lowry added: “As letters start being sent out to households that are going to be affected by these changes more people will start realising impact this will have on their household budgets. To help support our residents we need to work very closely with our partner organisations. This advice open day will get us all under one roof for a day.”

Information about the changes to the benefit system as part of the Government’s Welfare Reform agenda can be found online at www.plymouth.gov.uk/welfarereform. The Revenues and Benefits team can also be contacted on 01752 668000.