Council Tax benefit
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Claiming Council Tax benefit is being made easier for pensioners thanks to a new form launched by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Following reports that many people, especially pensioners, were confused over their eligibility to claim financial help with the tax, the minister for benefits, James Plaskitt, has launched the new form.  Most pensioners hated means testing and disliked the idea of "grovelling" for a little extra in benefits.

Beginning in December a new three-page form will replace the existing 26-page document that pensioners entitled to Council Tax benefit currently have to fill out from scratch.

The new simplified process will mean pensioners will only have to provide their financial information once to claim both Pension Credit and Council Tax benefit. Details will be given over the phone and then they will be sent the completed form which they send back the form.

Customers may also entitled to a rebate on what they have already paid as their claim can be backdated up to 12 months.

James Plaskitt, Minister of Benefits said the new system was part of the government?s commitment to make sure extra money gets to the people who need it most.

Plaskitt continued: ?It is important pensioners who are entitled to help with their council tax bills get that help as quickly and easily as possible. We have tested the form on pensioners who are already getting the Pension Credit but not claiming Council Tax Benefit.

This approach has proved successful and many customers are now getting their council tax paid in full. From December this short application process will be extended to all new customers who call to claim Pension Credit.?