Thousands of city pensioners could be getting another Council Tax windfall under plans being drawn up by Swansea Council.
The Council’s Cabinet is to discuss spending cash from the Welsh Assembly Government to cut the Council Tax bills of nearly 3,000 pensioner households.
The move follows the success of a scheme last year which saw the Council distribute as much as £63.06 each to 2,856 pensioner households across the City and County.
This year Swansea is to receive £316,525 from WAG to help pensioners with their Council Tax.
Swansea Council’s Cabinet will be asked on Thursday (July 1) to back a plan to distribute this money to pensioner households who qualify for partial but not full Council Tax benefit.
That means around 2,770 pensioner households would benefit by approximately £114 towards their household Council Tax bill. If the amount of Council tax is less than £114 they will get the lesser amount to cover the bill.
Cases will be identified from Council Tax records meaning those who qualify would not need to make an application for payment. The funds will simply be credited to their account and a revised bill and letter will be sent.
Pensioners in the city who already qualify for full Council Tax benefit will not be affected.
Cllr Stuart Rice, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “I’m delighted at the success of last year’s programme and hopeful that we can help people even more this year.
“Through this scheme we can put the money to work to help pensioners with their Council Tax.
“It will not cost residents a penny and it will help us bring in Council Tax to fund vital Council services.”
Cllr Rice added that local families should not forget that Swansea’s Benefits Take-Up Team is on hand to help anyone who may be eligible to claim other forms of help with paying Council Tax.
Paula Lewis, Benefit Take-Up Manager, said: “There are many different family situations and taking account of age and income means that customers should not rule themselves out.
“We urge everyone to contact the Take-Up Team on 01792 635885 to have a calculation for their particular circumstances. Even a little money off the bill can help.”
