Council Tax discount checks to cut fraud could save thousands

South Norfolk Council has started a mass data checking exercise on a Council Tax discount scheme which could save thousands and cut fraud.

The checks concern the single occupier discount, which supports Council Tax payers aged 18 and over who live alone.

There are over 15,000 people receiving this discount in the district, and it is worth nearly £5m.

Each year the Council writes to discount claimants to recheck their entitlement, but in a new move, it has appointed a company which has matched Council Tax data against credit referencing agency data.

This has uncovered cases where external information on financial activity or the electoral roll suggests the discount might be going to a home occupied by more than one adult.

In each case, Council staff will make contact. It expects the results to be split between those who have a second adult at home and qualify for the discount and those claimants who have made simple errors.

But it also expected to uncover those engaged in deliberate fraud.

Councillor Garry Wheatley, Cabinet Member for Resources, said:

"We ask residents what they expected of their council, and they say value for money. That also means efficient payment of benefits to people who are genuinely entitled to them.

"So where we uncover error or fraud, our residents expect us to take quick and effective action. This data checking exercise does just that.

"They can be assured that all overpaid discounts, whether in error or fraud, will be paid back to the Council in full."

He added:

"We have the best benefits team in Britain and a record of collecting almost 99% of our Council Tax and business rates.

"Anyone claiming this discount who is in any doubt about it, can contact the Council free on 0808 178 7141."

Council Tax bills are based on the assumption that two adults occupy the property as their main home. If it is occupied by only one, then the discount knocks a quarter off the bill.

Some people are not counted as a second resident, even if they live in the property. Further information can be found at the Council's website www.south-norfolk.gov.uk, single occupier discount.

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