Frequently asked questions about council tax and benefits

My benefit is currently paid by a district or borough council will it still get paid?

Yes – but this will now be paid by the new Shropshire Council.

Will the amount of benefit I receive change when the councils merge?

No - you will receive the same amount, unless you have a change in circumstances.

Who should I tell about a change in my circumstances?

You can still tell your local office or contact Shropshire Council.

I usually come into my local council office to hand in forms, documentation etc. Where will I have to go now?

You can still go to your local office even when we have become unitary.

I usually telephone my local council office, what telephone number should I call now?

Benefits telephone number 0345 678 9001
Council Tax telephone number 0345 678 9002
Business Rates 0345 678 9003.

What do I do if I have applied for benefits but have not heard anything?

Contact the benefit department for an update.

Will I have to complete a new benefit form when you are a new authority?

No – your benefit will continue with the form you completed initially.

Will I have to provide proof of income, ID, NINO, capital, etc again?

No – not just because we have become unitary. We would only request this information if you have had a change in circumstances that would affect your benefit entitlement.

I currently get paid benefit by cheque or BAC to my landlord, do I need to do anything to ensure it is still paid?

We are going to change the way we pay housing benefit and the frequency you will receive it, but we will let you know how this may affect you.

I asked for my benefit claim to be backdated before the 1st April 2009. Will I still get it?

Your request for backdating will be considered as normal and will not be affected by the transition. Normal Backdating rules will still apply.

I had an overpayment when I claimed at my local council, will I still need to pay it back?

Yes – the overpayment is still due and payable.

I made an arrangement to pay my overpayment at my local council for a certain amount every week or month. Will this arrangement still stand?

Yes.

Will I still get my Local Housing Allowance paid? Will it be the same amount?

Yes - Local Housing Allowance is a national scheme and is run by all authorities. Your rate will remain the same as it is now, unless you have a change in circumstances that will affect it.

I currently go into my local council office and discuss my benefit claim with the same council officer. Will I still be able to see that person?

Usually yes - the local offices will have the same staff members working there. However, some people have moved to new locations around the county.

Will I still go to my local authority website to get benefit information?

Each authority will still have its own website until 1st April 2009. A new website is being constructed for Shropshire Council and this will contain a wealth of information you can use.

Will my benefit reference number change?

Yes – you will be issued with a new benefit notification letter that will have your new number. This number is to be used in all correspondence and is unique to you.

Can I still pay my existing care bill and other bills by Direct Debit?

Yes, the only thing that will change is the details on your bank statement. These will change to Shropshire Council.

I currently pay for services directly out of my bank account, do I need to do anything?

The council's preferred method of payment is by direct debit. The council will write to you prior to April 2009 to let you know if you need to take any action.

My direct transfer has been returned unpaid. What do I do?

You will need to contact Cashiers on 01743 252108 who will inform you of what action you need to take to make payment.

Who do I make cheques payable to in the future?

Shropshire Council.

How can I pay Shropshire Council?

You can pay by:-

• Direct Debit via payment card or bar code at post offices and pay point outlets
• cheque payable to Shropshire Council, sent to Shropshire Council, PO Box 4210 or at one of the following local offices :-Edinburgh House, Wem, Stone House, Ludlow; Westgate Offices, Bridgnorth; Guildhall, Shrewsbury Castle View Offices, Oswestry
• Payment can also be made by calling Shropshire Council direct on 01743 252188.

I need to pay for a service that was provided by my district/borough council before the end of March 2009, how do I pay after April 2009?

You can pay by:-

• Direct Debit via payment card or bar code at post offices and pay point outlets
• by cheque payable to Shropshire Council, sent to Shropshire Council, PO Box 4210 or at one of the following local offices :-Edinburgh House, Wem, Stone House, Ludlow; Westgate Offices, Bridgnorth; Guildhall, Shrewsbury Castle View Offices, Oswestry
• Payment can also be made by calling Shropshire Council direct on 01743 252188.

In the past I have received invoices for services from my district/borough council, who will I receive invoices from in the future?

Shropshire Council.

I have a mortgage with my district/borough council, what will happen to my mortgage?

The administration for your mortgage will transfer to Shropshire Council. The terms and conditions of your mortgage will remain the same. Shropshire Council prefers payment by direct debit and you will be requested to set up a direct debit for your monthly payments.

Will my Council Tax or business rates bill look different?

Yes, with effect from 1st April 2009 your Council tax or Business rates will be due to Shropshire Council. The bill you receive at the beginning of March 2009 will be in the name of Shropshire Council and will look slightly different to those you have received in the past.

I currently pay my Council Tax or business rates by direct debit, do I need to do anything?

No, we will automatically transfer your existing direct debit from your current council to Shropshire Council. The name and reference number that appears on your bank statement will be different. However, we will be sending a personal letter to you to explain the changes that will affect you.

Will my account reference number change?

Yes we are currently amalgamating the existing council tax and business rate systems that the five councils currently use. This will mean that you will be issued with a new account reference number. If you make payments by cash or cheque at either the existing council offices or the post office or Paypoint network, you will need to quote this new number. A personalised letter will be issued to you in the autumn to explain how this directly impacts on you.

Will the amount of council tax or business rates change?

The amount of tax you pay increases each year and the creation of the unitary authority will not impact on this. You will receive your new bill as normal in March 2009.

I sent my district/borough council a letter notifying them of a change of address or circumstances prior to April 2009 but I haven’t heard anything, who do I need to contact?

Due to the move to the new computer system, there have been some small delays in processing letters received. Please be assured that any correspondence received prior to April 2009 will still be processed by Shropshire Council and you should receive a response shortly. If you would like to check progress please contact the Customer Service Centre.

I am in arrears on my council tax or business rates account, who do I now owe?

The amount outstanding still needs to be paid and should be paid to Shropshire Council.

My account was in credit, can I still get a refund?

Yes, just contact the Customer Service Centre or call into one of the local offices.

How can I pay for my Council Tax or business rates, I used to go to the local council offices?

You can pay by:-

• Direct Debit Via payment card or bar code at post offices and pay point outlets
• cheque payable to Shropshire Council, sent to Shropshire Council, PO Box 4247 Or at one of the following local offices :-Edinburgh House, Wem, Stone House, Ludlow; Westgate Offices, Bridgnorth; Guildhall, Shrewsbury Castle View Offices, Oswestry
• Payment can also be made by calling Automated Payment Line direct on 0345 678 9009.

I used to pay my Council Tax at my local post office or newsagents, will I still be able to do that?

We will still be offering the opportunity to pay your Council Tax or business rates at these locations, but you will be issued with a new card.

I currently pay my Council Tax by Standing Order, will I need to make any changes?

You will need to set-up a new Standing Order with your bank with effect from 1st April 2009 to pay money to the new Shropshire Council bank account. You can do this at the same time as changing the amount to pay following your annual bill. We will provide you with the new details nearer to the date.

Who can I speak to about my Council Tax or business rates account?

You can visit in person any of our offices or contact the Customer Service Centre.

I currently pay my business rates by BACS/electronic transfer, will I need to make any changes?

You will need to pay money to the new Shropshire Council bank account with effect from 1st April 2009. We will provide you with the new details nearer to the date.

How do I make an insurance claim against the new Council?

A letter giving full details of the incident giving rise to the claim should be forwarded to the Risk Management & Insurance team at the Shirehall.

What happens to an insurance claim that is currently being dealt with by one of the district or borough councils?

The insurance company will continue to deal with the claim on behalf of the council, but any queries or correspondence should be forwarded to the Risk Management & Insurance Team at the Shirehall.

I currently pay for school meals by cheque payable to Shropshire County Council. Who should I make the cheque payable to from April 2009?

Cheques should be made payable to Shropshire Council.

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