Council to review council tax single person discount

Torridge District Council has announced that they will be conducting a review of the single person council tax discount. 

A legal requirement, the review is to ensure that residents are paying the correct amount of council tax.

Those who currently receive a single person discount will be getting a letter in the post from Capacitygrid, who are working in partnership with Torridge District Council. 

Letters are being sent out week commencing September 23. 

The letter will ask residents to complete an online form confirming whether they are still entitled to the discount or if there has been a change to the number of people aged over 18 living in their home.

The council have reiterated that it is important that everyone who receives a letter completes the online form by the date indicated, whether their situation has changed or not.

The council also issued the warning that if you don’t complete the form, it may mean that your discount is removed from 1 April 2024 and a revised council tax bill will follow with higher instalments to pay.

If you need support completing the online form, help and support is available by calling Capacitygrid on 0808 1688923.

The review is expected to take three months. 

If you are receiving this discount and selected for review, you should receive your letter by the end of September.

Councillor Newton, Lead Member for Legal and Democratic Support, Torridge District Council, said: “Torridge District Council regularly reviews the award to all households within the district claiming single person discount on their council tax account.  The purpose of this review is to protect public funds and ensure the discount is only awarded to those who are entitled. Please look out for these letters in the post and if you do receive one, please make sure you complete the online form by the date indicated, whether your situation has changed or not.”