Council urges people to confirm their eligibility for single person discount

Shropshire Council is urging people to confirm their eligibility for single person discount for the council tax, by returning their annual review forms.

The forms have been issued as part of the council’s anti-fraud initiative to help detect any fraudulent claims.

The letters were issued by the council after advice from external agency Experian, who conducted a residency check on behalf of the council, in respect of properties currently claiming single person discount.  Those properties identified as high or medium risk have been asked to confirm their status.

The council asked external agency Experian to conduct the single person discount review, as this kind of fraud is one of the most widely committed frauds in the country, and the council is under increasing pressure to ensure that it maximises revenue and administers discounts and benefits correctly.

To help prevent fraud, the council is required to regularly check the information it has about residents who are receiving the discount, to check that it is correct.  As part of this process we write to residents who are currently claiming a single person discount, asking them to provide up-to-date information about their circumstances. 

As we are concerned about some of the circumstances of the people that have been identified as medium/high risk, we will be speaking to Experian, which conducts checks on behalf of the council, to address the problem. 

We have over 40,000 single person discount awards and, of these, 33,000 were identified as low risk.  No further action has been taken in respect of these properties. 

There are a number of reasons why different properties may fall into different categories.  Sometimes people are receiving post for previous occupiers, or they may still be paying bills which are in the name of family members or friends who have either passed away or moved out of the property.

Our intention is never to distress our residents; we just want to ensure that the discount is given to the right person.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for community leadership and governance, said:

“We do not want to be penalising innocent people, and sincere apologies to those have been being caught in the middle of this.  We do urge people to let us know of their current status and to complete and return their review forms.  We do still remain committed to doing all we can to combat fraud and to protect the interests of residents who are paying the right amount of council tax.”

Residents should make sure they reply to the letter, otherwise their discount may end.

The review has already identified a significant number of individuals who were not eligible for the discount.