Council Tax, Business Rates and other services

Transcription

1 Council Tax, Business Rates and other services 2015/2016

2 Contents Leader s message 3 How your money is spent 4 Your council tax 5 Your business rates 9 Your information 13 Financial information 14 Are you entitled to benefits? 16 Free school meals and clothing grants 19 Do it online Back page Contact us... For further information about details in this booklet, please contact the following offices: Leader s message Welcome to this latest guide to council tax, business rates and the council s budget. It explains how council tax is raised, where the council s budget comes from, and how money is spent on providing services for you. You will also find advice about what to do if you need help with paying your bill or with your rent. As you may be aware from reports in the press the council needs to find a further 43m of savings by The government recently announced how much money it will give to the council for 2015/16 and suggested how much this would be in the coming years. This grant from the government is around 35% of the council s budget while council tax is 44%. The council is now able to keep up to half of the business rates it collects in the borough with the remainder going to central government Unlike other organisations the council can t borrow to fund its budget so we need to balance how much we spend with how much we get in. Council tax Tel: council.tax@bolton.gov.uk Write to: PO Box 32, Bolton BL1 1RX Business rates Tel: business.rates@bolton.gov.uk Write to: PO Box 32, Bolton BL1 1RX Benefits, free school meals and school clothing allowances Tel: housing.benefit@bolton.gov.uk Write to: PO Box 4, Bolton BL1 1RX Information that we keep about you freedomofinfo@bolton.gov.uk Write to: Corporate Information Manager, Bolton Council, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Bolton BL1 1RU For Council Tax Support Fraud (CTS) only Tel: housing.benefit@bolton.gov.uk Write to: PO Box 4, Town Hall, Bolton BL1 1RX National benefit fraud hotline (not including CTS fraud) Tel: Write to: NBFH, PO Box 224, Preston PR1 1GP The recent Council budget meeting has put forward a series of proposals to meet this budget shortfall. But we have taken the decision not to raise the rate of Council Tax this year, but find the money from other means. Despite the challenging economic situation the council is able to use one off money to improve Bolton town centre and other areas. The choices which we have to make in order to find this level of savings are very difficult but the council remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable children and adults; and supporting the local economy. Councillor Cliff Morris Leader of the Council Alternatively, you can visit our website 2 3

3 How your money is spent Your council tax No one likes receiving a bill, but it helps if you know how your money is being spent. Bolton Council collects your bin of course, but did you know that the council also provides a wide range of other services that we all rely on throughout our lives? Here are some of the services that your council tax and business rates contributes to: Emptying your bins Recycling Keeping Bolton s streets clean Maintaining and repairing roads and bridges Providing libraries and art galleries Leisure facilities including swimming pools, sports centres and parks Caring for children, the elderly and other vulnerable people Children s services, such as schools, children s centres, before and after school clubs and youth services Traffic management and road safety Making sure that consumers are protected against dangerous goods Registering births, deaths and marriages Housing benefits Planning and building control Community centres and youth centres Helping to regenerate Bolton Part of the council tax you pay also goes to Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority to help pay for the police and fire services. Some money is also paid out to other organisations such as the Passenger Transport Authority to help pay for public transport. There is more information on how your money is spent on pages 14 and 15 of this booklet. Where does the council s money come from? Bolton Council s net budget requirement for 2015/16 is 206m. Out of this 72m or 35% comes from central government in the form of grants. Your council tax contributes 90m or 44% and your business rates contribute 44m or 21% of the available money we have to spend on services. Council tax bands The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for setting the bands which are based on property values at 1 April Your council tax bill shows which band your property is in. Council tax charge 2015/16 and valuation band ranges A B C D E F G H Band 40,000 or less 40,001 to 52,000 52,001 to 68,000 68,001 to 88,000 88,001 to 120, ,001 to 160, ,001 to 320, ,001 or more Banding appeals If you think your band may be wrong, you can ask the Valuation Office to review it: Manchester Valuation Office 17th Floor Portland Tower Portland Street, Manchester M1 3LD Tel: ctnorth@voa.gsi.gov.uk Website: Bolton Charge , , , , , , , Blackrod Charge 1, , , , , , , , Horwich Charge 1, , , , , , , , West ton Charge Please note You must continue to pay your council tax bill while you have any banding query or appeal pending with the Valuation Office. Further information is available at 1, , , , , , , ,

4 Your council tax continued... Scam alert Trading Standards advise caution if you receive a call from anyone saying you are in the wrong council tax band or you are entitled to a refund of council tax. The caller will charge a fee and some have given misleading information including false claims that: They are from the council or other official body They are working with the police It will cost you more to challenge your tax band on your own The council or VOA will not help you Remember that: Nobody can guarantee you a lower council tax band The vast majority of bandings are correct It s free to challenge or enquire about your council tax band These companies do little more than what you can do for yourself for free If you think you have been misled, report it to Trading Standards on Charge appeals If you think that either you or your property should not be subject to a council tax charge, you may appeal to the council tax office. Discounts for occupied properties If you have already been awarded a discount it will show on your bill. If you are the only adult (over 18) living at your address, you can claim a 25% discount off your bill If only one adult living at your address is counted then a 25% discount can be claimed If none of the adults living at your address are counted then a 50% discount can be claimed and in some cases an exemption may apply - see Exemptions for occupied properties If you have a second home that is provided under a contract of employment then a 50% discount can be claimed Adults who are not counted Here are examples of people who are not counted: Full-time students, student nurses, apprentices and those people under 25 on youth training schemes People permanently resident in hospital or in care homes People who are severely mentally impaired Carers - people living with and caring for someone who is not their spouse, partner or child under or 19 year olds who are still at school or college or have just left 18 year olds for whom child benefit is still being paid Members of religious communities, such as monks or nuns People staying in hostels or night shelters People in prison or detention (except those in prison for non-payment of council tax or a fine) Discount for annexes This is a 50% discount for annexes that are either being used as part of the main residence or are occupied by relatives of the person who is responsible for the council tax on the main dwelling. Please contact the council tax office for further details if you think you may be entitled to this discount. Reductions for people with disabilities If there is a room, extra space or an additional bathroom or kitchen in your property that is needed by a disabled person who lives there, you may get a reduction in your council tax. This reduction is the equivalent of your band being reduced to the one below, or by a sixth if your property is in a band A. Exemptions for occupied properties Occupied only by people under 18 Occupied only by people who are fulltime students or student nurses Occupied only by people who are severely mentally impaired Where the property is part of another property and a dependant relative lives in it, such as a granny flat or annex. Unoccupied properties Second homes and properties which are unoccupied and furnished There is no discount on these properties whilst they remain furnished. This means that a full (100%) charge will be payable. Unoccupied and unfurnished properties The following discounts and charges apply based on when your property first became unoccupied and unfurnished: The first 3 months a 100% discount will be given from the date of vacation for a period of up to 3 months, so there will be no charge. After 3 months and up to 6 months if the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished a 25% discount will be given so the council tax charge will be 75% of the full charge for the property. After 6 months and up to 2 years if the property remains unoccupied and unfurnished no discount will be given so the full council tax charge will payable for the property. After 2 years when the property has been unoccupied and unfurnished for 2 years then a 50% premium will be payable on top of the full charge. This will mean that a 150% charge will be payable. However, the 50% premium should not be charged on any property that: Would be the sole or main residence of a person in the armed forces who is posted away from home; or Is an annex to a property that is being used as part of the main residence of the main dwelling. Please contact the council tax office if your property falls into either of these categories so that we can cancel any premium that you have been charged. Unoccupied and unfurnished properties that are undergoing or requiring major repairs or alterations Where a property requires or is undergoing major repairs or structural alterations, a discount of 100% for up to 12 months can be claimed. 6 7

5 Your council tax continued... Your business rates Unoccupied properties that are exempt Properties owned by a charity are exempt for up to six months from vacation providing that when they were last occupied they were being used for the purpose of the charity. Properties left empty by someone who is a permanent resident in a hospital, residential or nursing home or in prison/detention Properties left empty by someone who has left to receive care from another person Properties left empty by someone providing care for another person Properties left empty that were last occupied by a full-time student who is the owner or leaseholder Properties left empty because someone has died are exempt where probate has yet to be made and for up to six months after probate has been granted Properties left empty because they have been repossessed or are the responsibility of a trustee in bankruptcy Properties left empty because occupation is not allowed by law Properties waiting to be occupied by a minister of religion Discretionary Reduction Scheme Discretionary reductions to council tax can be made if you can show you need extra help or you are affected by changes to the council tax support scheme or the additional charges for unoccupied properties. Please contact the council tax office if you wish to discuss this. 8 Changes in circumstances Please note: You must inform the council tax office, within 21 days, of any changes that affect your charge or your right to a discount, reduction or exemption. If you fail to do this you may be required to pay a penalty of 70. Paying your council tax You have the choice of paying your council tax over 10 or 12 months. We also offer other alternatives such as weekly, fortnightly and lunar monthly (i.e. every 4 weeks) instalments by direct debit, these can be set up on our website or by telephone. Please contact the council tax office, within 14 days of receiving your bill, if you wish to change the frequency or method of paying your instalments. Problems paying If you are having problems paying your council tax, please contact us as soon as possible. We are able to make special arrangements if you are having financial difficulties. If you don t contact us or pay on time, further action will be taken which may lead to additional costs being added to your account. Further information can be found on our website on the council tax - problems paying page. Alternatively, contact details for the council tax office can be found on page 2 of this booklet. Business rates The non-domestic rates, or business rates, are the way that those who occupy non-domestic property contribute towards the cost of local services. Under the business rates retention arrangements introduced from 1 April 2013, authorities keep a proportion of the business rates paid locally. This provides a direct financial incentive for authorities to work with local businesses to create a favourable local environment for growth since authorities will benefit from growth in business rates revenues. The money, together with revenue from council tax payers, revenue support grant provided by the Government and certain other sums, is used to pay for the services provided by your local authority and other local authorities in your area. Further information about the business rates system, including transitional and other reliefs, may be obtained at Rateable value Apart from properties that are exempt from business rates, each non-domestic property has a rateable value which is set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an agency of Her Majesty s Revenue and Customs. Their full list of all rateable values is available on their website at ations/valuation-office-agency. The rateable value of your property is shown on the front of your bill. This broadly represents the yearly rent the property could have been let for on the open market on a particular date. For the revaluation that came into effect on 1st April 2010, this date was set as 1st April The valuation officer may alter the value if circumstances change. You (and certain others who have an interest in the property) can appeal against the value if you believe it is wrong. The Government has announced there will be limits on the backdating of changes to rating assessments with effect from 1 April If the Valuation Office Agency receive your appeal on or after 1 April 2015 then the earliest they can back date any changes is that date. The billing authority can only back-date any business rates rebate to that same date. You will continue to have your full legal rights to appeal your rating assessment. The Valuation Office Agency will continue to fulfil their legal obligations to alter rating assessments if new information comes to light indicating the valuation is inaccurate. Any alterations they make on or after 1 April 2016 can only be backdated to 1 April Further information about the grounds on which appeals may be made and the process for doing so can be found on the website or obtained from your local valuation office. National non-domestic rating multiplier The council works out the business rates bill by multiplying the rateable value of the property by the appropriate multiplier. There are two multipliers; the standard non-domestic rating multiplier and the small business non-domestic rating multiplier. The former is higher to pay for small business rate relief. The government sets the multipliers for each financial year for the whole of England, according to formulae set by legislation. 9

6 Your business rates continued... Between revaluations, the multipliers change each year in line with the Retail Price Index in September of the previous year and to take account of the cost of small business rate relief. The calculation of the multipliers has taken account of the Government s decision in the Autumn Statement 2014 to cap the inflation increase to 2% in The current multipliers are shown on the front of your bill. Business Rates Instalments Payment of business rates is usually over 10 monthly instalments. However, you can ask for your instalments to be spread over 12 months to help with cash flow. If you wish to take this up this offer, please contact the business rates office. Revaluation 2017 All rateable values are reassessed at a general revaluation to ensure bills paid by any one ratepayer reflect changes over time in the value of their property relative to others. This helps maintain fairness in the rating system by updating valuations in line with changes in the market. The current rating list is based on the 2010 revaluation. The Government has confirmed that the next revaluation will take place in 2017 based on rental values at 1 April More information on revaluation 2017 can be found at: ns/valuation-office-agency In the year of revaluation the multipliers are rebased to account for overall changes to total rateable value and to ensure that the revaluation does not raise extra money for Government. Similarly, the change in the revaluation date to has no effect on the total amount of revenue raised from business rates. Empty properties Business rates will not be payable in the first three months that a property is empty. This is extended to six months in the case of certain industrial properties. After this period, rates are payable in full unless the unoccupied property rate has been reduced by the government by order. In most cases, the unoccupied property rate is zero for properties owned by charities and community amateur sports clubs. In addition, there are a number of exemptions from the unoccupied property rate. Full details on exemptions can be obtained from the business rates office. If the unoccupied property rate for the financial year has been reduced by order, it will be shown on the front of your bill. The Government has introduced a new temporary measure for unoccupied new builds from October Unoccupied new builds will be exempt from unoccupied property rates for up to 18 months (up to state aid limits) where the property comes on to the list between 1 October 2013 and 30 September The 18 month period includes the initial 3 or 6 month exemption and so properties may, if unoccupied, be exempt from nondomestic rates for up to an extra 15 or 12 months. Partly occupied property relief A ratepayer is liable for the full nondomestic rate whether a property is wholly occupied or only partly occupied. However, where a property is partly occupied for a short time, the local authority has discretion in certain cases to award relief in respect of the unoccupied part. Full details can be obtained from the business rates office. Small business rate relief Ratepayers who are not entitled to another mandatory relief or are liable for unoccupied property rates and occupy a property with a rateable value of less than 18,000 will have their bills calculated using the lower small business nondomestic rating multiplier. In addition, if the sole or main property is shown on the rating list with a rateable value of 12,000 or below, the ratepayer will receive a percentage reduction in their rates bill for this property. The maximum reduction is 50% for a property with a rateable value of not more than 6,000. The Government has announced, in the Autumn Statement 2014, that the doubling of the usual level of relief - to a maximum of 100% - will continue for a further year, until 31st March This reduction/relief is available to ratepayers who occupy either: (a) one property, or (b) one main property and other additional properties providing those additional properties each have a rateable value of less than 2,600. The rateable value of the property mentioned in (a), or the aggregate rateable value of all the properties mentioned in (b), must be under 18,000 on each day for which relief is being sought. If the rateable value, or aggregate rateable value, increases above those levels, relief will cease from the day of the increase. However, the Government has introduced additional support to small businesses. For those businesses that take on an additional property which would normally have meant the loss of small business rate relief, the Government has confirmed that they will be allowed to keep that relief for a period of 12 months. An application for Small Business Rate Relief is not always required. If you think that you meet the eligibility criteria and you have not received the relief then contact the business rates office. Provided the ratepayer continues to satisfy the conditions for relief which apply at the relevant time as regards the property and the ratepayer, they will automatically continue to receive relief in each new valuation period. Certain changes in circumstances will need to be notified to the local authority by the ratepayer (other changes will be picked up by the local authority). The changes which must be notified are: (a) the ratepayer taking up occupation of an additional property, and (b) an increase in the rateable value of a property occupied by the ratepayer in an area other than the area of the local authority which granted the relief. Full details on the eligibility criteria and on how to apply for this relief are available from the business rates office. Charity and Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) relief Charities and registered CASCs are entitled to 80% relief where the property is occupied by the charity or the club, and is wholly or mainly used for the charitable 11

7 Your business rates continued... Your information purposes of the charity (or of that and other charities), or for the purposes of the club (or of that and other CASCs). The local authority has discretion to give further relief on the remaining bill. Full details can be obtained from the business rates office. Retail Discounts The Government is giving funding to local authorities so that they can provide a discount worth up to 1,000 a year, in and up to 1,500 in , to retail premises with a rateable value of up to 50,000. This will provide support to premises including pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops. The Government is also giving funding to local authorities so that they can provide a 50% discount for 18 months for those businesses that move into retail premises that have been empty for a year or more. This is available for businesses which move into empty premises between 1 April 2014 and 31 March Full details can be obtained from the business rates office. Local Discounts Local authorities have a general power to grant discretionary local discounts. Full details can be obtained from the business rates office. State Aid The award of such discounts is considered likely to amount to state aid. However it will be state aid compliant where it is provided in accordance with the De Minimis Regulations EC 1407/2013. The De Minimis Regulations allow an undertaking to receive up to 200,000 de minimis aid over a rolling three year period. If you are receiving, or have received, any de minimis aid granted during the current or two previous financial years (from any source), you should inform the local authority immediately with details of the aid received. Hardship relief The local authority has discretion to give hardship relief in specific circumstances. Full details can be obtained from the business rates office. Rating advisers Ratepayers do not have to be represented in discussions about their rateable value or their rates bill. Appeals against rateable values can be made free of charge. However, ratepayers who do wish to be represented should be aware that members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS website: and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV website: are qualified and are regulated by rules of professional conduct designed to protect the public from misconduct. Before you employ a rating adviser, you should check that they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance. Take great care and, if necessary, seek further advice before entering into any contract. Data protection In order to operate efficiently, Bolton Council has to collect and use information about people we provide services to, and others we have contact with. These may include members of the public, current, past and prospective employees, clients and customers, and suppliers. We may share information you provide to us, such as council tax and benefits data, within the council and with government bodies and other authorities, where it is necessary and the law allows it, to ensure better service delivery, and to meet legal obligations. This personal information must be handled and dealt with properly, however it is collected, recorded and used, and whether it be on paper, in computer records or recorded by any other means, and there are safeguards within the council to ensure this. Bolton Council regards the lawful and correct treatment of personal information as very important to its successful operations and to maintaining confidence between the council and those with whom it carries out business. The council will ensure that it treats personal information lawfully and correctly. Bolton Council promises to process your personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and other relevant legislation. To find out more about the council s commitment and how we process your personal data and keep it secure visit the councils website freedomofinfo@bolton.gov.uk or contact: Corporate Information Manager, Corporate Information Unit, Bolton Council, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Bolton BL1 1US For more information about data protection contact: Information Commissioner s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF. Tel: Website:

8 Financial information How the council tax has changed m Band D council tax 1, Equivalent number of Band D properties 69,162 Band D council tax multiplied by number of properties equals: Total council tax levy net budget requirement Gross Expenditure m Net budget m Change from m Adult Services Children s Services Environmental Services Development and Regeneration Housing Central including transport and waste disposal levies Capital financing Savings Total decrease in net budget requirement External finance Revenue support grant and business rates top up Retained business rates Collection Fund Surplus Total decrease in external finance Precept for Bolton Council Other precepts Greater Manchester Police Authority Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority Total increase in precepts 1.2 Total council tax levy Equivalent number of Band D properties Total council tax levy by number of properties equals: 70,176 Band D council tax , Reasons for the decrease in Bolton s net budget requirement Inflation pressures m m Adult Services 1.7 Children s Services 0.9 Environmental Services 0.5 Development and Regeneration 0.3 Housing 0.1 Central including transport and waste disposal levies 0.3 Capital financing 0.0 Total 3.8 Demand pressures Adult Services 1.2 Children s Services 0.2 Environmental Services 0.2 Development and Regeneration 0.0 Housing 0.0 Central including transport and waste disposal levies 0.3 Capital financing 0.0 Total 1.9 Inflation and demand pressures 5.7 Savings Total decrease Precept Band D equivalent council tax Parish precepts - an additional charge for : Blackrod 53, Horwich 185, Westhoughton 130, For comparison the parish precepts were: Blackrod 49, Horwich 185, Westhoughton 129,

9 Are you entitled to benefits? Local Council Tax Support You can apply for Council Tax Support if you are in receipt of state benefits and also if you are on a low income. If you pay council tax why not find out if you can get a reduction based on your circumstances? You can get a personalised calculation using the online calculator at benefitscalculator Housing Benefit / Local Housing Allowance (LHA) If you rent your home, you may be able to claim housing benefit to help with your rent. However, if you live in privately rented property you will need to claim local housing allowance. There is more information about local housing allowance on our website at Savings and capital up to 6,000 ( 10,000 for those of pension age) are ignored, anything above this could affect entitlement to benefit, and if you have over 16,000 you will not normally qualify. When calculating council tax support, housing benefit and local housing allowance, we look at your circumstances which may include: Your income Your savings and capital The size of your home The amount of your rent Other people who live with you If you are not sure if you will qualify, either contact the housing benefit service (see page 2) or you can get a personalised calculation using the online calculator at Discretionary Housing Payments Discretionary housing payments can top up benefit awards. They are awarded for limited periods and are for people who already get housing benefit or local housing allowance who are struggling financially. If you need an application form please see our website at Discretionary Council Tax Reduction Scheme A discretionary reduction may be awarded where you are struggling to pay your Council Tax. Anyone can apply whether you are in receipt of benefits or working. The scheme is designed to offer short term help to those customers who are struggling financially. Every application will be considered individually, if you wish to apply for this, please complete the application form available on our website at Home visits The Benefits Service has a dedicated team who can visit people in their own homes. A visiting service is provided to: Residents over the age of 60 Residents with a disability Residents who are vulnerable The team offer advice on and complete application forms on a range of benefits, to find out more contact us (see page 2) if you would like to request a home visit. Electronic Payment If you receive housing benefit or local housing allowance and are currently paid by cheque you can ask for payments to be made directly into your bank account. The main advantages of receiving electronic payments are: They are processed quicker than cheques They are available to withdraw on the day your bank receives it There are no delays waiting for post to arrive or travelling to the bank to deposit the cheque It reduces risk of loss, late payments or theft To make the change to electronic payment, see page 2 for contact details. The Welfare Reform Act has introduced a number of changes which will affect housing benefit and council tax benefit. Local Housing Allowance (LHA) from April 2013 From 1 January 2013, customers will no longer have a LHA anniversary date. This change means that all LHA claims will be reviewed on 1 April each year (or the first Monday following this date if your rent is charged weekly). Increases and decreases in rent for LHA customers From April 2013 we will be able to revise your LHA amount if you have a change to your rent. At present, changes to your rent are ignored until you reach your LHA anniversary date. For more information please see the housing benefits pages on our website Under occupancy in social housing In April 2013 there were changes to the way your housing benefit is calculated if you live in accommodation rented to you by a local authority, registered housing association or other registered social landlord. A 14% reduction will be made to your eligible rent if you under occupy your home by one bedroom and a 25% reduction for two bedrooms or more. The new rules will allow you one bedroom for: every adult couple (married or unmarried) any other adult aged 16 or over any two children of the same sex aged under 16 any two children aged under 10 any other child (other than a foster child or child whose main home is elsewhere) a carer (or team of carers) who do not live with you but provide you or your partner with overnight care There are certain circumstances where the size limit rules will not be applied: State pension credit age If you are over state pension credit age or have a partner over state pension credit age Temporary accommodation If you have been accepted as homeless under homelessness legislation of the Housing 16 17

10 Are you entitled to benefits? continued... Act 1996 and placed in temporary accommodation by the local authority Shared ownership If you part own/part rent your home Supported exempt accommodation If you live in a property run by housing associations or charities which provide care/support or supervision. For more information please see the housing benefits pages on our website Household benefit cap In September 2013 the Government put a limit on the total amount of benefit that working age people can receive. This means that households claiming out of work benefits will no longer receive more in benefits than the average wage paid to those who are working. Total benefit payable will be limited to a maximum of 500 each week for couples and lone parents and 350 for single people, though entitlement to certain other benefits may exempt you from the household benefit cap. Local authorities will be responsible for applying the household benefit cap to new and existing claims, through housing benefit reductions. For more information please see the housing benefits pages on our website where there is a link for you to use to see if you are affected by 18 the benefit cap. To use this tool you will need to know the weekly award for each benefit or allowance that you and any member of your household receives Other welfare benefit changes Personal Independence Payments As part of the Governments wider welfare reform, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people who were aged 16 to 64 on 8 April 2013 or reach age 16 after that date. This was initially for new claims only. To find out more and access the PIP checker please visit Universal Credit Universal Credit has already been rolled out in the Northwest of England and there are a limited number of customers who are eligible to claim. This rollout will continue during 2016 and the DWP website will be able to provide more information as to those people affected. The rollout means that new claims to existing benefits, which Universal Credit is replacing, will then cease, with the vast majority of claimants moving onto Universal Credit during 2016 and Free school meals and clothing allowance What are free school meals? They are school dinners for children between the ages of 4 and 16 who attend full time school. They may also be awarded to some children outside this age range who attend full time school or nursery. What is School Clothing Allowance? It is a benefit paid to help meet the cost of essential school clothing for children who attend full time school in years 7 and 9. Do I qualify? To qualify you or your partner must be getting one of the following: Income Support Income Based Job Seekers Allowance Income Related Employment and Support Allowance Guarantee element of Pension Credit Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Child Tax Credit only (without Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income of less than 16,190. Universal Credit What evidence is required and how do I apply? You need to provide an up to date document showing that you are getting one of the above qualifying benefits. You do not need to make a separate claim if you are already getting or have applied for Housing Benefit / Council Tax Benefit or Free School Meals. We will use the information and evidence you have already provided to confirm your entitlement. For more information contact the housing benefit service (see page 2). How much School Clothing Allowance will I get? The amount you may receive depends on which school year the child is in. For year 7 children it is and for year 9 it is Please note that these are not payable in respect of children who attend private schools. From September 2014 the Government has confirmed that all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in state funded schools will be eligible to have a free school meal. This will be called a Universal Free School Meal. Is your family accessing your free childcare entitlement? All three and four year olds are entitled to a free childcare place. Some two year olds can also access a place but they must meet the national eligibility criteria. Free places are for up to 15 hours a week during school term time (38 weeks a year) or a maximum of 570 hours over 50 weeks. This is flexible to meet your needs. For more information on free childcare places, to find out whether you are eligible, or to find out about local childcare providers, please visit or ring

11 Do it online For the services included in this booklet, here s what you can now do online on our website: Council tax Make payments Register to view your account online - see bills, other notices, payments and balances Set up or amend a direct debit Request e-billing Search for a council tax band Report a change of address Download application forms for discounts and exemptions Benefits Check whether you are entitled to housing benefit or council tax support and make a claim online Register to view your account online - see notifications, details of claims and payment amounts Report a change in circumstances Make payments for housing benefit overpayments Request a form Request assistance to challenge or appeal a benefit decision Request help under the local welfare provision scheme Landlords can view tenant s details online (where housing benefit is paid direct) - see notifications, payment details and export payment schedules. Landlords can report a tenant moving in or out Business rates Make payments Register to view your account online - see bills, other notices, payments and balances Set up or amend a direct debit Request e-billing Search for rateable values You can also find further information and forms on the Council Tax, Business Rates and Benefits pages on our website. Large print, interpretation, text only and audio formats of this document can be arranged on request. Tel: council.tax@bolton.gov.uk Web: Published March 2015 by Bolton Council