Council Tax and benefits financial penalties

You must provide us with accurate information to make sure your Council Tax records and any benefits claims are up to date.

You must:

only claim benefit or discounts you are entitled to
promptly provide the council with accurate information
promptly tell the council when you have experienced a change in circumstances which might affect your entitlement to a benefit or a discount

Charges for benefits

You could be charged:

£50 if you don't tell us about a change in your circumstances (or deliberately supply incorrect information) which results in a Housing Benefit overpayment of more than £65
£70 if you fail to tell us about a change in your circumstances (or deliberately supply incorrect information) which results in a Council Tax Support overpayment

You could be charged:

£70 if you fail to supply information (or deliberately supply incorrect information) which affects your liability or entitlement to discount or exemption
£70 to a resident, owner or managing agent if they do not respond to a written request to supply information which would help the council establish the person liable for the Council Tax. A penalty of £280 can be applied for failure to respond to a second written request for the same information
£70 if you fail to tell us about a change in your circumstances (or deliberately supply incorrect information) which results in a Council Tax Support overpayment

If your circumstances have changed, you need to tell us as quickly as possible.