FAQs: Council Tax Support scheme consultation 2025/26

The Council is considering making changes to our Council Tax Support scheme. As part of these changes, we are carrying out a consultation so residents in North Norfolk can tell us about their views on them. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 24 November 2024.

FAQs

What are non-dependant deductions?

A non-dependant is someone over the age of 18 (or aged 20 or over if not in education) who lives with you but isn't financially dependent on you. For the purpose of Council Tax Support, an amount will be deducted from your entitlement for your non-dependants. The amount deducted depends on their income in the current Council Tax Support Scheme.

What are additional earnings disregards?

Some people are entitled to an additional earnings disregard of £17.10 a week under the current Council Tax Support Scheme. They will have the amount of £17.10 disregarded or ignored from their income. Their income is what we use to calculate their entitlement.

This disregard applies if:

  • you or your partner are aged 25 or over and work 30 hours or more each week
  • you or your partner work 16 hours or more each week and you are either:
    • a lone parent
    • a couple with children
    • disabled. The disabled person must be working 16 or more hours each week.
    • aged 50 or over. The person aged 50 or over must be working 16 hours or more each week.

What are passported benefits?

Passported benefits are state benefits or financial support that individuals automatically qualify for if they are eligible for certain other benefits, typically means-tested ones. These benefits are referred to as 'passported' because receiving one benefit acts as a 'passport' that gives access to other forms of assistance, such as free school meals, help with Council Tax, free prescriptions, dental care, eye tests, and discounted public transport.

Passported benefits help make access to other public assistance easier for those facing financial hardship.

How do I know what I am entitled to?

If you think you may be entitled to Council Tax Support or any further benefits or would like to check that you are claiming the correct amount of support, please use the benefits calculator to check your entitlement.

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