Changes to council tax benefit - consultation questionnaire Council tax benefit is a means tested benefit that helps those with low or no income to pay their council tax.  Changes are happening to this benefit - a leaflet is available to help you understand this.  A copy of this is available at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/ctaxchanges People of pension credit age will not be affected by these changes. We are very interested in hearing your thoughts on the options/proposals below.  Your views are important to us and will help shape the local council tax support scheme for this borough.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that people of working age should pay something towards their council tax bill?   Strongly agree   Neither agree nor disagree   Strongly disagree Agree   Disagree

To what extent do you agree that the most vulnerable should be protected from the minimum contribution?   Strongly agree   Neither agree nor disagree   Strongly disagree Agree   Disagree

Options/Proposals: To find the saving needed while protecting the most vulnerable - claimants with children under five or who are in receipt of disability benefit continue to have the same level of benefit as they do at the moment.  Support for all other council tax benefit claimants of working age is reduced by 30%. This would result in no extra money having to be found to meet the funding gap caused by the central government cut, but would not meet any additional costs anticipated as a result of more people making a claim in the future.  This shortfall would need to be found from other savings. People of working age who are not 'protected' who currently receive an average weekly council tax benefit award of £15.75 would receive approximately £11.00 under the new support scheme.  Those currently receiving 100% council tax benefit would also only receive 70%.  This would mean that support for a Band D property would reduce from £25.96 per week to £18.17 per week.   Strongly agree   Neither agree nor disagree   Strongly disagree Agree   Disagree

To find the saving needed while protecting the most vulnerable and allowing for the ageing population and growing numbers of claimants - claimants with children under five or who are in receipt of disability benefit continue to have the same level of benefit as they do at the moment.  Support for all other council tax benefit claimants of working age is reduced by 50% This would result in no extra money having to be found to meet the funding gap caused by the central government cut, and would provide additional resources to fund the anticipated increase in the number of future claimants. People of working age who are not 'protected' who currently receive an average weekly council tax benefit award of £15.75 would receive approximately £7.85 under the new support scheme.  Those currently receiving 100% council tax benefit would also only receive 50%.  This would mean that support for a Band D property would reduce from £25.96 per week to £12.98 per week.   Strongly agree   Neither agree nor disagree   Strongly disagree Agree   Disagree

Some customers are not entitled to council tax benefit in their own right because they have too high an income.  However, they can claim a discount of up to 25% if they have another adult living with them who is on a low income.  It is proposed that this second 'adult rebate' is removed.   Strongly agree   Neither agree nor disagree   Strongly disagree Agree   Disagree

The current benefit scheme provides for people starting a job to continue to claim council tax benefit at the same level for the first four weeks of employment.  To help incentivise people into work it is proposed that this period should increase to eight weeks. This would help someone move into work more easily by avoiding delay in receiving initial salary payments and meeting their bills.  There would be an additional cost in providing this support of at least £30,000.  This shortfall would need to be found from other savings.   Strongly agree   Neither agree nor disagree   Strongly disagree Agree   Disagree

Please use this space to comment on the options/proposals above. If you feel that the proposed changes will affect particular individuals or groups more than others please tell us, and if so, how you think we may address these.

Please tell us if you have an alternative suggestion for a local council tax support scheme which is fair and meets the funding gap

About You   Are you a resident of Basingstoke and Deane?   Yes   No   If yes, please provide your postcode:

Do you pay council tax? Yes   No

Do you currently receive council tax benefit?   Yes   No

Please tick the description(s) that best reflect(s) your household status:   A family with one or two dependent children   A household with full/part-time workers A family with three or more dependent children   A household that includes someone who is disabled A lone parent household   A single person household or couple without children A household with a carer present     None of these apply, please explain:

Are you responding to this consultation as an:   Individual Carer (a carer is someone who provides on-going and unpaid support to a relative or friend who, because of illness, frailty, or disability could not manage without their help) Representative of:   A Voluntary Organisation - please state:   A Housing Association - please state:   Other - please state:

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is committed to improving its services, eliminating unlawful discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity for all people. By answering the questions overleaf, you will be helping us greatly with this task.  It is not compulsory and for each question there is an option to tick 'Prefer not to say' or you can leave it blank.  All responses will be treated in confidence and in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Equality Questionnaire   Which of these ethnic groups do you belong to? White   British   Irish   Any other White background   If other, please state:   Mixed race   White and Black Caribbean   White and Black African   White and Asian   Any other Mixed background   If other, please state:   Asian or Asian British   Indian   Pakistani   Bangladeshi   Any other Asian background   If other, please state:   Black or Black British   Caribbean   African   Any other Black background   If other, please state:   Chinese or other ethnic group   Chinese   Any other ethnic background   If other, please state:       I prefer not to tell you

Do you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability?   Yes   No   I prefer not to tell you

Do you regard yourself as belonging to any particular religion or belief?   Christian   Hindu   Jewish   Atheist   I prefer not to tell you Buddhist   Sikh   Muslim   Agnostic   Other   If Other please tell us:

What is your age group?   Under 16   26-35   46-55   66-75   I prefer not to tell you 16-25   36-45   56-65   76+

Are you male or female?   Male   Female   I prefer not to tell you

Which of the following options best describes how you think of yourself?   Heterosexual   Gay   I prefer not to tell you Lesbian   Bisexual   Other   If Other please tell us: Data Protection: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council confirms that any data it receives in response to this survey will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.  To request  a copy of the information the council holds about you write to the Data Protection Officer, Basingstoke and Deane Council, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, RG21 4AH or email dpo@basingstoke.gov.uk