This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
'Cut your Council Tax' campaign
01/03/2004
A UK-wide campaign starts today to stop pensioners missing out on an average £426 cut to their council tax bills.
Four out of ten pensioners are missing out on three quarters of a billion pounds in Council Tax Benefit, which goes unclaimed. Less than half of home-owning pensioners are claiming the money they should get.
Some pensioners are missing out on 100 per cent refund - tearing up their council tax bills. On top they may be due arrears back to last October - up to an extra five months towards last year's council tax bill, bringing a possible cash windfall.
Andy Kerr, Scottish Executive Minister for Finance and Public Services said:
"I very much welcome this UKcampaign to raise awareness amongst pensioners on council tax benefit. Currently almost 4 in 10 pensioners entitled to this benefit do not apply for it and as a result pay higher council tax bills than they should. I encourage Scotland's pensioners to apply for all the benefits to which they are entitled.
"The Executive is committed to an independent review of local government finance that will look at, among other things, the ability to pay but this should not discourage our pensioners from applying for what is due to them."
The UK Government will be working closely with local authorities to raise awareness and encourage take-up during the campaign.
Next week regional press will start carrying adverts with the message "Cut your Council Tax" in a campaign that will cover the whole country. Flyers, leaflets and posters have also been sent to 20,000 organisations that deal with older people and all local councils in England, Scotland and Wales, along with a Best Practice take-up guide.
Leaflets will also be available from post offices, doctor's surgeries and sent out by related phone-lines like the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline. And if DWP's Pension Service are making home visits to help with the Pension Credit application, they will help pensioners complete the Council Tax Benefit form at the same time.
Some families on low incomes below pension age are also missing out on Council Tax Benefit - the median average unclaimed is £468 off the annual council tax bill.