#gdnchat on council tax benefit changes - your stories
very Wednesday we run a Twitter chat looking at some of the personal affects of the changes to benefits currently underway by the UK government. On Wed 6 February 2013 we look at how changes to council tax benefits are impacting on people's lives
@Claire_Phipps I've just found out today that my local council will make me pay 20% of my Council Tax, even though I'm disabled. #gdnchat- @Claire_Phipps And that is on top of #BedroomTax and the real terms cut in Benefits. April is looking extremely bleak. #gdnchat
@Claire_Phipps Seems our council are trying to take my #DLA into account as income. Trying to clarify (I'm middle rate care indefinite)- And below the line, a user commented:
I am in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, (JSA), and receive both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. My Local Authority, (LA), is now informing me that i will have to contribute 20% of my Council Tax bill. My question is how am i to do this on my JSA? I already pay, by direct debit, for my Water Gas, Electric and TV Licence which costs me £120 per month. My Jsa Is £71 every 2 weeks. Therefore, after all my fixed costs are deducted i am left with £43 to feed and clothe myself per week. My La are asking that i pay 20% of my Council Tax, which is £17, leaving me £26 a week for food etc. How can anyone be expected to live on that amount? 
@Claire_Phipps @wheelieslug DLA is exempt, if they do not stop trying to include it in your income say you will make an official complaint- @BillHeywood_hsg @Claire_Phipps this advice is still available on the dwp website bit.ly/KCUdY8 re income disregards.
@Claire_Phipps Colchester BC have been sending letters out: neighbour, unemployed, 2 kids will have to pay £3.50 a week.
@rainmanakaalan It is. My friend who has severe aspergers, is having to move as the council gave him a 2 bed and now say its 2 big #gdnchat
@crazybladeuk @Claire_Phipps < Media quick to demonise benefit claiments but slower than an snail to inform them of what's coming in April
We're hoping to do joint work w/ @rightsnet @EHRC & @NewPolicyInstit on impacts of CTB from April, let you know as we develop more #gdnchat
@Claire_Phipps No sure, as just says its freezing it. Its not my council I'm waiting for Bolton to decide what it's doing?!
. @FlipFlopFF I'd be interested to know how councils not charging eg Tower Hamlets will manage that #gdnchat- . @FlipFlopFF councils should have decided on #CTbenefit changes by end Jan so should be sharing that v soon? #gdnchat
- . @FlipFlopFF Also this site has a lot of info about what different councils are doing to absorb/pass on cut bit.ly/UoArDL #gdnchat
- @crazybladeuk #gdnchat I had a letter saying i would be expected to pay and this letter gives me time to plan, but no one can say how much!
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- Chester le StreetWE DONT NEED THIS NEW HIGH SPEED TRAIN AND THAT MONEY COULD BE USED ON OTHER STUFF NOT WASTEING IT AND US HAVEING TO PAY MORE MONEY ON TAXS2013-02-06T18:16:27.094Z
- Louisa BoneI am a disabled woman and I have just been informed that we will have to pay 25% of my council tax bill we wont cope cutting our costs at alll, it may mean not...more2013-02-06T15:34:21.238Z
- James HobosInteresting talk folks2013-02-07T09:26:31.700Z
- Chester le StreetWE DONT NEED THIS NEW HIGH SPEED TRAIN AND THAT MONEY COULD BE USED ON OTHER STUFF NOT WASTEING IT AND US HAVEING TO PAY MORE MONEY ON TAXS2013-02-06T18:16:27.094Z
- Louisa BoneI am a disabled woman and I have just been informed that we will have to pay 25% of my council tax bill we wont cope cutting our costs at alll, it may mean not...I am a disabled woman and I have just been informed that we will have to pay 25% of my council tax bill we wont cope cutting our costs at alll, it may mean not eating to feed our three childrenmore2013-02-06T15:34:21.238Z
