To think I should be entitled to some discount

[user1490465531]

Just wanted to see if anyone else has experience of this.
I work 16 hrs a week minimum wage job and have to pay full council tax.
AIBU to think I should be entitled to some discount and is anyone else in a simular situation.
Posting on this board for traffic.
The only thing I qualify for is the single person discount.

OP, I also work only 16 hours school hours. I am better off financially than I would be working full time and paying for childcare so I don't really give a damn what anyone thinks. And to the poster who mentioned having children you can't support, I'm very sorry that I was in a marriage that didn't work out. Get off that high horse.

I only get single person discount on council tax. Do you private rent or live in council? Is moving to somewhere with cheaper rent a possibility?

People are only being snippy with you because of the tone of your own posts.

Making sarky comments about husbands earning 50k. DFOD, I don’t need a husband to keep me, thanks very much.

FWIW I think council tax is a bizarre and unfair system and you probably should pay less in your situation. Doesn’t mean you can be an arse about it though.

Ring or write into your local council tax office , if you live as the only adult in the home ( not counting children under 18) you should be able to get 25% discounted off your council tax bill , regardless of income received
Hope this helps

Thanks for the reports on this thread. We're just nipping in to say we appreciate discussions like this often get heated but we'd like to remind you that Mumsnet is here to make parents' lives easier.

We've no problem with a robust discussion every now and then, but we'd ask everyone to respect each other and express their views without resorting to personal attacks.

Peace and love.

Maybe I'm being an arse due to the nasty comments I've received although I shouldn't really stoop to their level.
Already explained that by working more hours I was worse of and that I earn minimum wage and receive no child maintenance.

I'm surprised that people think the 25% single occupancy discount is some kind of handout. I thought it was more of a recognition that a household made up of one adult probably uses fewer council services than a household made up of two, three or six adults. An adult living alone still pays more per person than a couple, or a group of people living in a shared house.

OP, I'd visit the Revenues and Benefits department of your local council and ask them if you're entitled to a reduction based on your income or family circumstances. (But they might be closed until 2nd January). Don't trust online calculators too much, as I was once told by a council employee that they're not very reliable.

For clarification - I called you goady for your subsequent posts, not your original question.

I don’t think you should get more discount than you are entitled to. I hope you are receiving everything you are entitled to and that if not, you are able to claim it.

I am also a single mother. I had a period on benefits. I grew up on benefits. I frequently navigate the system for my two disabled parents. It is indeed shit.

I certainly don’t agree with the POV that you shouldn’t have had children

I apologise if I made you feel shit. In retrospect, I understand the defensiveness.

An adult living alone still pays more per person than a couple, or a group of people living in a shared house

That's a fair point, but I guess for me it isn't as simple as a single person uses half as many services you know?

Hi OP not read the full thread so someone might have already said this, but do you get housing benefit? When I used to get HB, I remember some people what're also entitled to council tax benefit. This may have all changed now though, have you looked on Money Advice Service?

I'm in a similar position OP. I work 23 hours and can't work more because of child with additional needs. However, with my tax credits, and low mortgage, I am probably better off than couples on low wages with childcare to pay for and high rent. I didn't choose to be single and I am grateful that I have the top up, however I am really worried about UC and how it will affect us.
Unfortunately, a lot of us are living with higher living costs and a freeze on wages. I have had one pay raise in 7 years. Some people can absorb the costs and some of us are living from pay check to pay check.
That's life. To be honest council tax is the least of my worries, it's paying all the bills on my own, and running an ancient car, that eats my money!

Might be some info here OP

www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction

You should definitely qualify from what you say. I do 26 p/w on minimum wage and I get reduction.

Then again I also have a child who is in nursery the days I work, and my wages barely cover more than the nursery, so I don’t know if you are on your own? Perhaps this makes a different?

Whoops I’ve just seen your other posts OP where you say you are a parent.

Oh and I totally get you on the fact you’re worse off working more hours, I’m the same here. I’d actually be better off if I reduced my hours, but I daren’t as I don’t want to risk my job for when I can up my hours as DS starts school and childcare is massively reduced.

She is getting to pay less than a couple as she is single, but she still has to pay half as much again of what each of a couple would pay.

If a couple pay £1000 a year, that’s £500 each. She would pay £750 in the same property.

Op, I was also going to post www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction. I think it’s already been posted.

As you only work 16 hours a week, presumably you are in receipt of other benefits so unsure how much more of a discount other than single person you are likely to be entitled to receive. Obviously the only people who know are your council - try asking them.

Oh and you may find people respond better to honey than vinegar.