Council Tax Benefit

On 1, April 1993 the Council Tax replaced the Community Charge (sometimes known as the Poll Tax) as the means by which local people are charged to help with the cost of local public services (e.g. schools or Social Services).

 

The Council Tax is a tax based on people's homes and is calculated on a daily basis.

If you are liable for Council Tax you can apply for Council Tax Benefit.

 

If you are awarded benefit this will be deducted from the amount of Council Tax which you will need to pay Peterborough Council.

 

The amount of Council Tax which a liable person needs to pay changes from April each year. Each property which is used a dwelling (some one permanently lives there as their home) in the Peterborough Unitary Authority Area is categorised into one of eight different bandings or groups depending on the value of the property. The most expensive houses are in the highest bandings and are therefore charged the highest amount of Council Tax.

 

Council Tax Benefit is a type of benefit, which anyone who is liable for Council Tax can apply for.
When benefit is awarded it will reduce or clear the amount you need to pay on your Council Tax Bill.

 

When your claim is assessed a decision letter will be sent directly to you.
You will also be sent shortly afterwards, a revised bill for your Council tax, if this has been altered.

 

You will be notified in writing of any changes to your entitlement. If as a result of a change in benefit, your entitlement is reduced or cancelled completely this may result in an overpayment of benefit.

This means that you have had more benefit paid to your account than you are actually entitled to.

This amount will be added back on your account and shortly after we have advised you of the change you will receive a revised notice from the Council Tax Billing Department. If at this point you disagree with this change you can appeal against the decision.

 

You should contact the Council Tax Billing section by telephone on 01733 452258.

 

If you have been sent any correspondence from the Council Tax Billing Section about your failure to pay your Council Tax and Court proceedings have been mentioned please contact the Council Tax Recovery Section by telephone on 01733 452651.

 

If you wish to contact either of these sections via email click here local.taxation@peterborough.gov.uk

 

If you are not able to telephone these sections you can call at our Customer Service Centre at this address:

 

 

The opening times for centree are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm, and Wednesday from 11.00am to 5.00pm.

 

Yes you can, by visiting our Internet Payments pages.

 

In certain circumstances it may be possible to add to the amount of Benefit awarded. If it is agreed that a person will have difficulty in paying their rent and or Council Tax liability extra payments of benefit can be awarded up to the maximum amount payable under the benefits scheme.

This is called Discretionary Housing Payments.

 

If you are not happy with the date used to start your benefit or you have not been able to apply before you may wish to apply for Backdated Benefit.

 

If you are currently in receipt of benefit and have been out of work for a long time but are thinking of returning to work you may qualify for help with your rent for up to four weeks after you commence work. This is called an Extended Payment.