Swansea's council tax help for pensioners

THOUSANDS of Swansea pensioners are getting a Council Tax windfall under plans being drawn up by the city's council.

Eligible pensioners will benefit by around £52 per household under a scheme that's being paid for by the Welsh Assembly Government.

WAG have provided a £2m pot for local authorities across Wales to help pensioners pay their Council tax bills in the coming year and the amount coming to Swansea is just over £160,000.

Swansea Council's Cabinet has agreed the move which means about 3,100 pensioner households who qualify for partial Council Tax benefit will be informed by post by the Council of the reduction.

Stuart Rice, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "There are many pensioners in the city who already qualify for full Council Tax benefit and they will not be affected if Cabinet accepts the offer. It will only apply to pensioners who currently qualify for partial Council tax benefit."

But Councillor Rice added that local families should not forget that Swansea's Benefits Take Up Team are on hand to help anyone who may be eligible to claim other forms of help with paying Council Tax.

Benefit Take up Manager Paula Lewis 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. "

Anyone wanting information or help should contact the take-up team on 01792 635885.