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Minister for Pensions, Steven Timms MP, visited Bexley last week to meet local residents in Cray Meadows ward, and promote a new one-stop-shop hotline, which aims to stop pensioners across the borough missing out on an average £426 towards their council tax bills.
The hotline pulls all pensioners ‘ benefit advice together under one roof. Council tax benefit for pensioners is paid as a rebate on the council tax bill. It is administered by local councils on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, and claim forms are available from the Pensions Service, or from Bexley Council.
The Labour leader of the council, Councillor Chris Ball , was on hand to welcome the minister. Cllr Ball said: “Up to four out of ten pensioners fail to apply for council tax rebates. With that vital money our older generation could be doing so many other things to make their lives more comfortable.
“Some pensioners on low incomes are missing out on a 100 per cent council tax rebate. On top of that, they may be due arrears, bringing a possible extra cash windfall.
Cllr Ball added: “Some pensioners may wrongly believe that they might not qualify for a council tax rebate. For example, because they live in a big house or own their home. But it costs nothing to make the phone call, because it is a freephone number, and a very large number of pensioners are due discounts to their council tax.”
Claiming is easier than ever before. The claim form is shorter, and new rules mean that once you’ve successfully applied for council tax benefit you don’t have to re-apply every year.
The simplified system means that Pension Credit customers will only have to provide their financial information once. They will be sent the pre-completed three-page council tax form to check, sign and return to the council . Customers may be entitled to a rebate on what they have already paid, as their claim can be backdated for up to 12 months.
If a pensioner also wants to apply for pension credit, they should call the Pension Service’s credit application line on 0800 99 1234. The Pension Service can send them a council tax benefit claim form
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