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Take part in the Epping Forest District Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme consultation and help shape a new system.
Council Tax Reduction (CTR) is a discount that helps people on low incomes pay their Council Tax bill. The level of discount is based on the income of each household.
Council Tax covers many services including, Essex County Council, Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and town and parish councils; as well as services provided by Epping Forest District Council (EFDC).
Improving the system
This year EFDC is exploring a new Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which will make the process of applying and updating any changes easier, quicker and more cost-effective for residents and Council staff.
Under the current scheme, residents receiving CTR need to notify the Council every time their income changes, which may result in a change to their support. This can make it very hard for people to budget and manage their finances.
This proposed system, would mean most changes to income would no longer need to be reported to EFDC. Residents would be more certain of their discounts and applicants can get an instant assessment of their entitlement.
Who is eligible?
Across Epping Forest district, around 3069 residents who pay Council Tax currently receive CTR.
Any changes to the scheme will affect households in the district who will get CTR from 1 April 2024.
Have your say
The consultation opens from Wednesday 6 September to Wednesday 18 October 2023.
Paper copies of the survey are available from the Council’s Civic Offices reception in Epping and the Epping and Waltham Abbey Community Hubs.
Please contact the Benefits Team on 01992 564155, if you have any questions or require assistance to fill the survey out.
Customer focused
Cllr Sam Kane, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services said:
Many other local authorities across Essex have already moved over to this new Council Tax Reduction Scheme with positive results.
The proposed system is very customer focused. It is easy to use, gives immediate and clear decisions and is more cost-effective, saving money on back-office administration tasks.
The Council is constantly reviewing its processes and systems to find ways to improve the customers’ journey.
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