Glossary of terms
Allowance
Also known as ‘needs allowance’, an allowance is the amount the government states a household needs to live on.
This can depend on a person’s age, whether they are single or have a partner, how many dependant children they have and their age.
Budget Gap
A budget gap is the difference between the amount of money the organisation has and the amount it needs to operate and provide services.
Capital
Any savings in cash or in a bank or building society, property, land, stocks or
shares/other investments.
Carer
For the purpose of Council Tax Benefit, a carer is a person who has the responsibility of caring from someone else who is unable to care for themselves (e.g. through long term illness, disability or old age).
Carers are usually entitled to Carer’s Allowance
Council Tax
Council Tax is a local tax on domestic properties. It is set each year by the Council based on a property's valuation band.
Each home is placed in one of eight valuation bands by the Listing Officer of the Inland Revenue based on its value at 1st April 1991.
The Council is responsible for collecting Council Tax and this money goes towards funding local public services, including refuse collection, family services, environmental health and education. The majority of the money collected is passed to Surrey County Council and Surrey Police Authority. A small amount goes to Parish Councils.
Council Tax Benefit
Council Tax benefit is for people on a low income to help meet the cost of Council Tax. Currently, the Government gives the Council the money needed to fund Council Tax Benefit. As a national scheme, the Government sets the rules regarding who can claim and how much they can get. If somebody meets the criteria they will receive a contribution towards their Council Tax bill, in some cases this can be equal to the whole amount. Any Council Tax Benefit awarded is paid directly onto the Council Tax account, not directly to the individual.
Council Tax Support
A new, localised scheme that will replace Council Tax Benefit.
Extended benefit payment
If a benefit claimant who has been in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, Income
Support or Income Related Employment Support Allowance (ESA IR) for more than 26 weeks starts work, current benefit regulations allow us to continue to pay the same benefit for up to 4 weeks, before their new income has an effect.
Means-testing
A means test is a determination of whether an individual or family is eligible for help from the Government, based on their income and circumstances.
Non-dependant
A person who is living with the claimant but who is not dependent upon them, and not living in their home on a commercial basis, (i.e. as a joint tenant or sub tenant).
Examples are an adult son or daughter, a mother or father or friend of the claimant.
Non-dependant deduction
A deduction made for each non-dependant living in a household. These are based on the income of the non-dependant. Deductions are not made in certain circumstances, such as when a person is under the age of 25 and claiming certain benefits such as Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (Income Based), and Employment and Support Allowance (Income Based).
A deduction is not currently made when the claimant and/or partner receives the care component of Disability Living Allowance.
Pensioner
Someone who has reached the age for state pension credit
Premiums
Premiums are additional amounts that can supplement/increase a households
Allowance or ‘needs level’ depending on the circumstances of the
individual/household. This is usually in the case of increased need, such as those in receipt of disability benefits, lone parents and carers.
Savings
See Capital
Second-Adult Rebate
Second Adult Rebate is currently awarded to single people who are not entitled to Council Tax Benefit based on their own income and savings, but receive a rebate of up to 25% of their bill because they have another adult living with them (who is not their partner) on a low income. A second-adult could be a grown up son or daughter, a friend or a relative.
Working age
Someone who is above the age of 18 but has not reached the age for state pension credit.