Council Tax Reduction while wife on spouse visa

[Jazz2007]

Hi

I’m settled in uk and live with my family,

I want to apply for Council Tax reduction but worried if it will jeopardise my wife’s future spouse visa extension. We both are jointly responsible for Council Tax. Please advice if there is a right way to get help during these difficult times.

Already receiving UC but this is fine because DWP declined wife’s claim. I have to not requested on UC form to share my info with local council regarding council tax reduction because i was worried if it will effect her visa.

Please suggest

[JB007]

Hi

I’m settled in uk and live with my family,

I want to apply for Council Tax reduction but worried if it will jeopardise my wife’s future spouse visa extension. We both are jointly responsible for Council Tax. Please advice if there is a right way to get help during these difficult times.

Already receiving UC but this is fine because DWP declined wife’s claim. I have to not requested on UC form to share my info with local council regarding council tax reduction because i was worried if it will effect her visa.

Please suggest

That's been asked before and nobody seems to know for immigration. As you rightly say, Council Tax Reduction (used to be called Council Tax Benefit) is a public fund.

When there is only 1 person in the house liable for council tax, that person is liable for 100% of the council tax. e.g. 3 adults sharing and two are students, the non-student is liable for all the counci tax.

However, that person could then ask the 25% discount, as a single person liable for 100% of the council tax, which is not a public fund.

[JB007]

What is the nationality of your wife?

[CR001]

What is the nationality of your wife?

Indian.

[JB007]

What is the nationality of your wife?

Indian.

That won't work then. I was asking as some countries have signed agreements with the UK, or with the EU, that allows people from these countries to have some benefits from the UK, even though they are subject to immigration control. India isn't one of them.

[Jazz2007]

Thank for your kind responses,

It looks its wise not to claim Council Tax Reduction because of my wife visa. But, like UC there must be something which declines her claim and accept mine and our kids.

[JB007]

But, like UC there must be something which declines her claim and accept mine and our kids.

Not really. There are hundreds of councils (Local Authorities) all dealing with council tax in their own areas, whereas with UC, everything is dealt with by the DWP and is online.

Before Housing Benefit was replaced by UC, all the councils used to sort out that benefit in their areas too. There seemed to be some strange reading of the rules by some councils and that was for those who were allowed to have public funds!

Benefit staff are not immigration experts.

[JB007]

You can have a read of the Public Funds guidance for Home office staff.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 4.0ext.pdf