Council Tax Summons - Advice needed

[Waddy]

I was a student starting my second year at university in September, but due to health reasons had to drop out at the start of the year (I am continuing next year), but I had already moved into a house with other students, I obviously knew that I would be liable for council tax and informed the council that I was no longer a student. I still had to live somewhere and I'd already signed the lease so it seemed the most sensible thing to stay. I applied for ESA/HB and CTB a few days later and am still waiting for a decision, it's taken a few months because the benefits office have lost documents and I've had to refill in numerous forms.

I have had a few reminders for the council tax and have phoned the council to explain that I am still waiting for a decision on CTB, but they still sent reminders, then today I received a Summons to appear in court on 18/04/2012. I'm not entirely sure what I should do next, should I ignore the summons, go to court or try explaining things to the council again?

The council tax reminders and the summons are just addressed to me, although the council are aware of all the people living at the property, I don't have a problem with this as obviously it's my mess to sort out, but I don't want any actions I take to mean the council go chasing after them. I don't have the money to pay and then wait for the CTB decision, I'm already living off overdrafts and credit cards as I have no income at the moment.

[tr0niks]

Hi Waddy and welcome to TPUC

It is possible that the summons has been automatically sent by the computer. Contact the council as soon as possible and they may be able to cancel it.

If not, go to the CTB dept, show them the summons and ask them to get the benefit sorted out, or at least get the court action suspended.

Have you been waiting for benefits since sep/oct ? that seems a really long time even for them. Aside from the CT problems you should be politely hassling the benefits office and council. If they can't tell you when you might be paid, you should maybe ask for a hardship/interim payment (the summons proves you have an urgent need). The extra paperwork for them to do this sometimes helps speed up the claim

If things are still not getting sorted out, get in touch with Wellfairy http://tpuc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=42355 for more in-depth and confidential advice.