Column: Citizens Advice Leighton Linslade
I’m worried about my Council Tax. I’ve heard that Central Bedfordshire Council have made some changes that will mean I might have to pay more. I know it goes up every April, but there’s something else happening, as well as that. Someone mentioned it’s because they are changing the benefits people can claim.
Well, for those that are too young to receive their state pension, you are correct that there are changes to the benefit known as Council Tax Support. This benefit puts a credit onto the Council Tax bill, so that there is less to pay for those that are on a low income. But this isn’t going to be as generous after April 2026 as it was before.
Until that date, those who had an especially low income, could get all of their Council Tax paid. Some people refer to this as being exempt from Council Tax or that they don’t pay Council Tax and that’s usually because they have had these full credits dropping the bill down to zero. From April 2026, this is changing. Those that previously got 100% help, will soon only get 75% help with their bill. This means that someone living alone in Leighton Buzzard in a band A property will now pay just over £25 per month for their council tax bill. It would be even more than this if a couple lived there and the council tax band was higher.
The important thing to do next, is to look out for your Council Tax bill. This will tell you how much you will have to pay. The bill usually itemises the instalments to be paid over the next ten months. If you ask the council tax department at the council, they will spread it over twelve months, which drops the amount down a little. Set up a direct debit to have payments going out every month, so that you don’t build up a large bill. It is an important bill to pay.
If you are worried about affording your council tax, you can ask Citizens Advice to check if you are missing out on any other benefit or income. If you have debts, there is help available to deal with those as well as budgeting advice that can help you keep your expenditure within your income.
There is lots of other help available that our friendly advisers at Citizens Advice Leighton Linslade. Many questions can be answered over the phone, so if you are worried, do call 01525 373878, but face to face appointments can be booked in or you can contact us via our website www.leightonlinsladecab.org.uk
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