City of York Council will start writing to every household claiming the single person’s Council Tax discount this month as part of a routine eligibility review. The 25% reduction is meant for residents who live alone, and the council will ask recipients to confirm they still qualify within two weeks of receiving the letter.
A reminder will follow with a new deadline if there is no reply. Anyone who misses that second deadline will lose the discount and get a fresh bill, with instalments spread across what remains of the financial year. Households that do respond but whose circumstances have changed will also see a corrected bill with payments adjusted over the same period. Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, acknowledged the pressure on household budgets and said support is available for anyone worried about money during the process.
The single person’s discount has been part of Council Tax legislation for decades, but the council routinely checks records to make sure only eligible residents receive it. Similar verification drives are under way at other local authorities, including North Yorkshire Council, as councils look to protect public funds during the cost-of-living squeeze. Residents can manage their accounts online or get help from the council’s review team and benefits advisers.
All letters will carry the council’s logo, and officials may carry out further checks on any household information provided. The review process includes statutory powers to prosecute fraud and recover money where claims are found to be dishonest.
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