STRUGGLING families are missing out on cash that could act as a vital lifeline.
Rising bills are putting pressure on households across the country with council tax alone rising by an average £106 a year.
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Some households face council tax jumping by nearly 10% as struggling councils have been given permission to hike the essential bill by more that usual.
Yet, billions of pounds worth of benefits that could ease the pain are going unclaimed.
Exclusive figures shared with The Sun found that almost 2.3million people are failing to claim a huge £3.4billion in Council Tax support.
This amounts to support worth an average £1,513 a year, according to analysis of official data by organisation Policy in Practice.
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Council Tax Support is a scheme where those on a low income or benefits can get money off the bill.
You could get a discount of anything up to 90% of your bill through the support.
The unclaimed amount includes almost a £1million in pension age council tax support. The rest is for those of working age.
The average claim for working age council tax support is £1,464, while the support for pensioners is worth an average of £1,670.
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In some cases if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount on your bill – meaning it is completely cancelled out.
Many households fail to claim because they simply don’t know it exists.
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The support is given out by local councils in England and claiming varies by local authority so will depend on where you live, your income, dependants and other benefits.
Scotland and Wales have their own national schemes.
Overall, figures show £23billion worth of means-tested benefits and social tariffs could go unclaimed this financial year.
This amounts to £2,700 on average for homes missing out.
Policy in Practice founder Deven Ghelani, said: “Behind these huge figures lie individual families struggling to cope.
“This support exists for a reason and if we plug this £23billion gap and lift people out of poverty it will give them healthier lives, better educational attainment and longer life expectancy – and the costs to the NHS and social care would fall.”
On top of the Council Tax Support, Policy in Practice estimates that £8.3billion of Universal Credit goes unclaimed by more than 1.4million people, who could claim an average of £5,772 a year.
And more than £2.1million pension credit is going unclaimed, with 808,000 older households on low incomes missing an average of £2,677 a year.
See the full list of under-claimed benefits.
HOW TO GET COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION
You can find out if you’re eligible by using the Government’s “Apply for Council Tax Reduction” tool on its website.
You just have to enter your postcode and it will redirect you to your council’s website where you can find out more.
Michael Clarke, head of information at the charity Turn2Us, says: “The process is more difficult because there is not one single path to claim this support. Each local authority has a different route to get to it.”
The amount of council tax you will get off varies and will likely depend on what band you are in as well.
Council tax bands range from A to H, with A homes paying the least and H the most.
If you think you’re in the wrong council tax band, and paying too much, you can challenge it.
You can do this via the Government’s website.
WHAT OTHER HELP CAN I GET?
Besides Council Tax Support there are other ways to cut down your council tax bill
If you are living alone you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
The same applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.
You could be entitled to a larger reduction of up to 50% if you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired.
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And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.
LOCAL authorities can offer you a discount or wipe your bill completely depending on your circumstances through council tax support.
You can get a 25% discount on your council tax if you are the only person living in the home or if you live with other people who are classed as “disregarded”.
Someone is classed as disregarded if they are severely mentally impaired, a carer, in hospital, a care home or hostel, has another main residence, or is a student, youth trainee or apprentice.
For example, if one single adult lives with a student, they can get 25% off their council tax.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer, you could get a reduction of up to 50% too.
And, if you live in an all-student household you can get a 100% discount.
Pensioners can also get a council tax discount, including those on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit who can get 100% off.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
Meanwhile, a pensioner who lives alone also qualifies for a 25% discount.
Low-income households or those on benefits can also apply for a reduction on their council tax.
Whether you are eligible depends on where you live.
You could also get a deferral if you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.
Always remember though, if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as possible.
That will avoid your situation deteriorating and landing you in trouble.
