Your benefit award explained

It is very important that you read your benefit letters carefully as it gives the information that is required.

Council tax support

If you are eligible for Council Tax Support, your award will be calculated upon a maximum of 80% of your Council Tax charge if you are of working age. If you are of pension age it will be based upon a maximum of 100% of your Council Tax charge.

Once we have worked out your Excess Income, we have to deduct a percentage of this to work out your Council Tax Support. This is referred to as the 'taper'.

Council Tax Support is automatically credited to your Council Tax account.

Decisions about Council Tax Support are based on the Council's Local Scheme approved by cabinet members and Central Government. The Council must manage the scheme within these rules, which means that we do not have the discretion about how much we can pay you.

However, it is important that if there is something you do not agree with, or if you think that your claim has not been worked out correctly, you write and tell us. Your letter must be received within one calendar month of the date on the top of your notification letter.