Vulnerable Isle of Wight residents could get an extra helping hand in paying their council tax bills this year.
Next week on Wednesday, the Isle of Wight Council will decide whether to increase its local council tax support scheme (LCTS) from 65% to 70% as it promised last year.
Under the scheme, some residents only pay 35% of their bill.
It comes as the cost-of-living crisis increases and more and more families are feeling the squeeze. The LCTS scheme was first introduced 10 years ago but the amount of support has reduced, and the council says, debt has increased.
Officers say as those on LCTS struggle to pay the residual level of council tax after the support has been awarded, the authority should further discount the scheme.
To discount the scheme by a further 5% would cost the authority nearly £360,000.
Officers warned councillors must have regard to the authority’s current financial position when making the decision, as it looks to fill a hole in the budget with savings and reserves.
The final decision will be made at the meeting on Wednesday, ahead of the final budget-setting procedure in February.
In November, the council’s executive cabinet members unanimously supported the increase, subject to the full council’s approval, if the council could afford it due to the financial pressures the authority was facing.
The exceptional hardship fund is also available to residents in receipt of the LCTS, who are in suffering hardship to receive extra assistance in paying their council tax.
Those in receipt of means tested benefits whinge about their income yet they pay out for very little compared to working people
Their rent, council tax, school meals, school uniforms, transportation is all heavily subsidised or free
They, if at all, only work 16 hours a week yet have their wages made up to same level as workers in full time jobs but then pay out far less
Many are far better off hence choose to do nothing to change their situation and happily whinge to keep the sympathy and lucrative income coming
Also working half a week gives them young years to enjoy life.
Don’t believe all you read as I KNOW differently
Why are hard working members of the public constantly subsidising reduced council tax
for those on benefits.Especially those that choose to do less hours so they can screw more benefits from the state.
Unfair to add an additional £3600000, to the council tax. Many are struggling to pay the outrageous council tax. Without any help, or the many benefits that the LCTS already get.
And those that work all the hours they can to make ends meet can pay more council tax
What about help for pensioners?
Pensioners get all the help already how much more do you wantThere’s a lot of others struggling so don’t be greedy
Why? More people the taxpayer has to support.
No help for the workers though.
No, probably not Valerie……I’m wondering who are classed as ‘vulnerable’? We’ve all had enough regarding the considerable increase in the cost of everything. People who get up and go to work each day won’t get any help. Those who sit at home and have never worked in their lives probably get let off paying anything?!?!?!?
Zero, zilch.
Totally agree Valerie
Who exactly are classed as vulnerable? Working families on crap wages, pensioners who have been screwed out of their rightful pensions amount after paying in for it for 50 years or the ones on free handouts who have never worked or paid anything in. Who is out here in touch with the real world finding out? And are those who are paying nothing in, getting the £900 cost of living allowance to blow on smack and booze? All questions that need to be asked to establish who the real vulnerable are, and those taking the p*ss out of the system with their gold bling and new cars. The DWP need to do some investigations to worm out these leeches
Absolutely agree. Very well said. Too many liars, sherkers, no hopers and don’t give a toss.
Maybe the fat cat leaders could take a little less for their back pockets
Please do call them leaders they couldn’t lead a egg and spoon race never mind the island.
They are a useless bunch of no good people leaching what they can to feed them selves and their very small ego’s
Oh that’s OK , we the poor cash cow’s will pay for those that get everything cheaper !!!!
Universal credit, cheaper council tax , etc etc food vouchers, community food banks !!!!
Maybe I should get a second job so as I can live !!!! To help pay for it !!!
Work all day and pop home for a snack and do a night shift so as to help all these vulnerable folk???
And yes I know there are genuine people who need help ,,,,,
But there are an awful lot more spongers who sit on their backsides and take and take …
Everybody’s bill’s are higher food etc ..
How about giving the worker’s a break????
Who are classed as ‘vulnerable’? We all don’t want to pay any more in Council Tax.
To be honest I think most people are vulnerable it’s a bloody hard struggling life who would of thought it would come to the way it is ,it’s disgusting people are struggling to make ends meet ,it’s not living it’s an existence
Stop moaning, if you can’t beat them, join them !
Why not have a dig at the inherited rich ?
So if your parents left you a fortune it would all be given away!!
Cut benefits, make them work half a week for the benefits in the form of food vouchers (not redeemable for fags or booze ) then make them do some sort of work and give them a small salary on top, BUT, make them pay for ALL their own bills. Stop giving out handouts for these scroungers and baby machines.
Perhaps it would be a good idea for those who really do know of the undoubted masses claiming fraudulently benefits and tax credits to be paid three months of their illegally claimed benefits IF they grass them up and save the country a fortune.
Many women claim to be single parents but never sleep alone at night. Many more claim tax credits working a mere 16 hours per week, BUT also work cash in hand on the sly for firms or at home doing nails, hair, spray tans, massages etc.
That way they get all their rent and c.tax paid and yet still claim thousand in u/c or tax credits, AND their wage for the 16 hours work, AND the cash in hand work, and often claim to be a single parent when they have a live in lover.
YOU SAD SAD SAD MUPPIT……..imo.
Typical isler wighter…….disgraceful.
Live in lover…..?……lmfao ! I think you need a good old s**g.
But personally, i don’t think you will have much luck with our lovely loyal ladies of The Wight.
But you could try Gosport.