Changes to single person council tax claims

By IW Galleries Feb 28, 2020

Island residents who claim single person discount on their council tax bills are being notified of a forthcoming review.

Letters are being sent out during March reminding people they must tell the council if they are no longer eligible for the 25 per cent discount.

The letters will accompany annual council tax bills, and will be followed in April/May with a detailed review of households where a single person discount is currently awarded. This is to check that Island council taxpayers who currently benefit remain entitled to the discount.

The council has appointed an external agency using data matching technology to identify where people may be claiming discounts they are not entitled to.

As part of the review, and where some doubt exists, households will be contacted and given a deadline to confirm their status, otherwise the discount will be withdrawn.

A council spokesperson said: “If you claim the discount and no longer qualify as a person living alone you must let us know so we can update our records.

“We’d also like to remind residents who qualify but have not claimed, that they are entitled to do so.

“The checks form part of the council’s measures to prevent and detect fraud and protect the public purse and to ensure claims are by council taxpayers who are genuinely entitled.

“We would strongly urge all claimants who no longer qualify to let us know as soon as possible. This will mean our records should be up to date for when the review in April/May takes place.”

More information about single person discount can be found at: www.iwight.com/ctspdreview