Reminder letters are being sent to around 5,300 households as part of Sefton Council’s review of residents receiving Council Tax Sole Occupier discount.

Eligible

At the start of November, NEC wrote to 11,000 households receiving the 25% Council Tax bill discount to check they are still eligible for the discount.

Sole Occupier discount applies to households where only one person over the age of 18 is living.

Reminders

Households that were sent letters were asked to confirm to NEC in a declaration how many adults aged 18 and over live at the property. Having received around 5,700 responses, NEC is sending reminders to the 5,300 yet to reply.

The quickest and most convenient way people can make the declaration is using a simple online form with the unique access code provided in the letter. They can also make the declaration by phone using the dedicated number provided in the letter. Or they can return the paper form that is included with the letter, to NEC.

Declaration

Households need to complete the declaration, even if they receive a Council Tax Reduction.

A dedicated 0151 number is available for anyone who needs help completing the declaration.

Risk

Households that, according to their declarations, no longer qualify for the Council Tax Sole Occupier discount, will have their Council Tax account amended. Households that do not respond to the letter may risk the discount being removed.

Anyone whose circumstances have changed, meaning they are now a Sole Occupier, or who thinks they may now qualify for a Council Tax discount, should visit www.sefton.gov.uk/ct-discounts for more information.

Almost 1,300 households cancelled their discount after being contacted by the Council during the review’s first stage, which ran from August until the end of September.

By making sure that it is billing households correctly through the review, the Council has so far identified over £635,000 that can now be used to support vital local services.

You can find out more about Council Tax in Sefton here.