South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are urging anyone who is currently claiming a 25 per cent single person discount on their council tax to get in touch if they now have others living with them.
The councils are carrying out checks to ensure that only those entitled to the discount are receiving it, and to help in their efforts to prevent and detect fraud and protect the public purse.
The review will see the councils working with credit reference agencies to check people’s eligibility for the discount and ensure that all records are up to date. This may also involve writing out to taxpayers for further clarification.
Anyone who thinks they may no longer be entitled, or anyone who thinks they are eligible but not currently claiming their discount, should get in touch:
South Oxfordshire - [email protected] / 0345 302 2313
Vale of White Horse - [email protected] / 0345 302 2315.
Cllr Jane Murphy, Deputy Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Single person discount is available to people over the age of 18 who are living on their own. When someone falsely claims this discount, or fails to inform us when their circumstances change, it costs the public purse significant amounts; money which could be spent on supporting vital services.”
Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “If you are currently claiming the discount but have someone else living with you, now is the time to get in touch so your account can be amended.”
