Residents urged to #DoTheRightThing and correctly claim Single Person Council Tax discount

South Cambridgeshire District Council, working with Cambridgeshire County Council and partners, has run an initiative to identify individuals incorrectly claiming a Council Tax Single Person Discount.

The project, which began in July 2023, has identified more than £800,000 worth of lost Council Tax income, which was due to public services provided to South Cambridgeshire residents. 

Data gathered as part of the initiative indicates that around two in 10 claims reviewed by the authority, following intelligence received from data matching, were being claimed incorrectly.

Erroneous and fraudulent claims for Council Tax discounts or exemptions reduce the overall revenue collected by local councils. This means that there is less money available to fund essential public services.

Where there is a debt identified, it is recovered through the normal Council Tax billing process, with the income used to fund public services.

As part of next week’s International Fraud Awareness Week 2024 (17 to 23 November) the District Council is urging people to #DoTheRightThing and report any changes of circumstances which may affect their Council Tax liability. For more information about entitlement please visit the Council’s webpage.

The District Council is also asking anyone with information on suspected fraud to report this using the online reporting link.

Cllr John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We are committed to ensuring fairness for all residents. Incorrectly claiming a single person discount on Council Tax not only places an unfair burden on others but also diverts valuable resources from essential services that benefit the entire community. We urge all residents to do the right thing by accurately reporting their living situation and ensuring that Council resources are used as they should be - to support a thriving, honest, and inclusive community." 

Council Tax useful information

• Council Tax must be paid on domestic dwellings. The number and type of people living in a home affects the amount and who should pay it.  
• A full Council Tax bill assumes two adults (over 18). 
• If only one adult lives in a property as their sole or main residence the Council Tax bill is reduced by 25%. This is called Single Person Discount (SPD).
• Please check eligibility on our webpage or call 01954 713000 for advice.

Children turning 18

• Have your children turned 18 and are you claiming SPD?
• You may still be eligible for a student or young person discount but should still declare this to the council if you are claiming SPD so the correct relief can be applied. You may be asked for a student certificate to verify this.

South Cambridgeshire residents are again being encouraged to ensure they take advantage of all the cost-of-living support they are entitled to this winter. This includes encouraging residents to check they are claiming what they are legitimately entitled to. Residents are being reminded there is advice and support available from the Council if residents are unsure about what they can claim.