10 January 2004
Ryedale Pensioners: don't pay more council tax than you need to
Paul Blanchard, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Ryedale, today backed a new awareness campaign that starts today to stop pensioners missing out on an average £426 towards their council tax bills.
Paul said:
"Cut your council tax - find out if you should be paying less."
"Up to four out of ten pensioners fail to apply for Council Tax Benefit and three quarters of a billion pounds goes unclaimed by pensioners each year."
"Some pensioners are missing out on a 100 per cent rebate. On top they may be due arrears back to last January, bringing a possible extra cash windfall."
"Pensioners are missing out on an average of £426. I am determined that every pensioner in Ryedale gets all they are entitled to."
"If you are in doubt whether you are eligible for council tax benefit, check by contacting Ryedale District Council on (01653) 600666 to see if you are entitled."
Council Tax Benefit Minister Chris Pond said:
"My message to pensioners is - don't pay more than you need to. If you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit I want you to get every penny owed."
"Some pensioners may wrongly believe, for any number of reasons, that they might not qualify for a council tax rebate, for example, because they live in a big house or own their home."
"Claiming is easier than ever, we've made the claim form shorter and new rules mean once you've successfully applied for Council Tax Benefit you don't have to re-apply every year."
