Council Tax Benefit - And How to Deal With Bailiffs

According to the Local Government Association, £1.8 billion in Council Tax Benefit goes unclaimed.

Check on-line with DirectGov. You can use the form provided to see whether you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit.

This is particularly important if you think you may have a problem paying your Council Tax.

The Citizens Advice Bureau has reported a thirty per cent rise in the numbers of people seeking help to deal with Bailiffs trying to collect Council Tax over the last three years - and more and more Councils are using Bailiffs to collect the tax.

Quite apart from the fact that nobody wants a Bailiff on the doorstep - they cost money. Which brings me to another point.

If you have to deal with a Bailiff, find out (from your local Citizens Advice Bureau) what their legitimate charges are.

Bailiffs are not regulated - and are unlikely to be regulated for at least two years - and there have been instances where Bailiffs have grossly over-charged debtors to collect Council Tax.

It's worthwhile in any event to know your law as far as Bailiffs are concerned. You can find out all about that by going to The UK Insolvency Helpline and look for "Debt Basics - Bailiff Guide".

Find out what you are entitled to - and know your rights!

Geoff - http://www.metlissbarfield.com