Frequently Asked Questions

Why you have received this letter or email

The council is reviewing the circumstances of everyone who currently receives Single Person Discount. We are checking that you are still eligible for the discount.

How to respond to the review

The easiest way to reply to the review is by using the text messaging or online services. Please refer to your letter for instructions on how to do this using your unique PIN code. 

What happens if you don’t respond to the review

If you do not respond, we will assume your circumstances have changed and we will remove your discount. You will receive a new Council Tax bill.

If you do not provide the information we ask for, the authority will impose a £70 penalty.

If you complete the form after the 14-day deadline

If you do not return the form within 14 days, you will receive a reminder letter.

If you do not respond to the reminder, we will assume your circumstances have changed and we will remove your discount. You will receive a new Council Tax bill, and the authority will impose a £70 penalty.

If you receive a reminder after responding

If you sent your response within the last few days, it may have been received after the reminder was issued. In this case, you do not need to respond again.

If you sent your response more than a week ago, it may not have been received, and you may wish to respond again.

If you responded using the eForm or text message service, please check that you followed the instructions correctly. If you did not receive a “Thank you” message, your response may not have been recorded. 

Please follow the instructions on your reminder letter again.

How to reinstate your discount if it has been removed after you responded late, or did not respond

You can reapply for Single Person Discount by completing the form on the Council Tax Review website.

How to get help to complete the paper form

If you are the only adult living at the property, tick the box on the right at the top of the form. Then complete Sections B and D, if they apply to you.

If you are no longer the only adult living at the property, tick the box on the left at the top of the form. Please provide details of the additional person or people in Section A or Section C, depending on their circumstances.

Before returning the form, please:

• sign it
• print your name
• add the date
• return it to the address shown at the bottom of your letter

Please make sure you use sufficient postage. Letters sent without enough postage will not be received and your discount may be removed as a result.

Why you are asked to return the form to a Nottingham address

The address provided on your letter is a secure local government scanning facility based in Nottingham who provide services to many local authorities. 

What to do if someone is using your address for correspondence only or you receive mail for previous occupants

This will not affect your eligibility for Single Person Discount if you are still the only adult living at the property. We recommend you return any unexpected mail not addressed to yourself, back to the sender. If you have allowed somebody to use your address for mail, but they do not live with you, please respond using the paper form, and complete section B.

How having someone stay with you a few nights a week affects your eligibility

If your friend or relative keeps their belongings at your house, then your address will be classed as their main residence. Therefore, you would no longer be eligible for Single Person Discount and will need to declare them as living with you during the review. If they pay council tax elsewhere and keep their belongings at that address, then you would not need to declare them, although, if they have any mail delivered to your address you should include this information when completing your review.

When you have already reported a change in circumstances

You still need to complete the form, including all the details about your current situation. 

How to respond to the review when you currently live alone but somebody is moving in soon

If the person is moving in soon then you can complete the review advising of their move in date, this will ensure your account is updated correctly when they do move in. If they not moving in for several months, or the date is unknown, then please complete the review declaring that you remain the only adult occupier, then contact Wokingham Council to advise them when the additional person moves in.

How to find out if an additional occupant is classed as disregarded for Council Tax

You can find additional information about disregarded occupants who are not eligible to pay council tax on our council tax discount page.

Why you have received a Penalty Notice

You may have received a Penalty Notice for one of the following reasons.

• You failed to respond to the review
• You initially responded to the review, but failed to provide further information when asked
• You initially responded to the review saying you lived alone, but provided a different answer when asked to provide further information

Credit Information we hold about you

We do not hold any credit information about you. If you want to see your credit file, please contact any of the major credit reference agencies:

• Transunion (www.transunion.co.uk) 
• Equifax (www.equifax.co.uk) 
• Experian (www.experian.co.uk)