Q. What is a 'Second Adult Rebate'?
A. This is a form of Council Tax Benefit that is available to
Council Tax payers who share their home with someone on a low
income but who do not have a partner or a paying lodger. It may be
payable even if the Council Tax payer has a high income themselves
and would not normally qualify for benefit.
Q. Who would qualify for Second Adult
Rebate?
A. There must be at least one other person living with the
householder who is aged 18 years or older (they are classed as the
'Second Adult(s)') The Council Tax payer must claim the benefit but
is purely based on the financial circumstances of the other
adult(s) in the property. An example of where Second Adult Rebate
could be awarded is where a single parent who is working full time
has an unemployed son or daughter staying with them who are aged
over 18.
Q. Who would be classed as a 'Second
Adult'?
A. Anyone who is 18 years or older and lives in the home with
the Council Tax payer. Examples of 'Second Adults' are grown up
children, friends and relatives.
People who cannot be treated as 'Second Adults' include the
Council Tax payer's partner, joint-tenants, lodgers and certain
students.
Q. How much 'Second Adult Rebate' can I
receive?
A. This depends on the income of the 'Second Adult(s)". If there
is more than one 'Second Adult" in the property, their income is
added together for the purpose of calculating this benefit. The
highest reduction which can be awarded is a 25% reduction in the
amount of Council Tax due. Lower awards can also be assessed based
on the financial details of the 'Second Adult(s)'.
It is important to remember that the income and savings of the
Council Tax payer are not taken into account in the
calculation.
Q. How can the rebate be claimed?
A. The easiest way to claim Second Adult Rebate is to contact
the Council using the contact details on the back of this page. Our
staff can then advise you of the claiming process. It is important
to claim benefit as soon as possible so that you do not lose out on
potential entitlement. Second Adult Rebate can only be backdated if
there was a very good reason as to why you did not claim
earlier.
Q. What information is needed to assess a person's
entitlement to Second Adult Rebate?
A. The Council only needs to know about the circumstances of the
Second Adult(s). Full details of their income and savings will be
required. Further details of what is considered 'acceptable
evidence' are contained on the claim form.
It is important to remember that the income and savings of the
Council Tax payer are not taken into account in the
calculation.
Q. Where can I obtain further information?
A. Please contact us using the contact details printed on the
back of this page.
Changes of Circumstances
It is important that the Council is informed straight away if
any information that is put on a claim form for Housing Benefit
and/or Council Tax Benefit changes.
REMEMBER - The Benefits Agency are a separate
body and advising them of the changes is not sufficient - the
Council must also be told.
Changes That May Affect Benefit
Entitlement:-
- Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance starting or
stopping
- Somebody moving in or out of the household
- Starting or stopping paid employment
- A member of the household being in hospital for more than 6
weeks
- Moving house
- A change of income such as a pay rise/cut or a change in
benefits
- A change in the rent (private tenants)
- A change in the amount of savings/capital that you have
NOTE: If too much benefit is paid because of a failure
to notify us of a change in circumstances, the Council will ask for
the money to be repaid.
Contact
Tel: 01304 872199
Email: revenues@dover.gov.uk
