Council Tax - why do seniors have to pay the full amount?

It may be useful here to add that the BB can be issued for a mix of disabilities some of which are not obvious. Just look at some of the claims for DLA which admittedly cover a wider range but not being able to walk is just one.

As for paying council tax then it is the elderly who rely more on council services, in general, so why a discount? And for all those who argue about the ones who have no money worries to resolve that can only be done by means testing which is destructive and very costly.

I think that sensible pensioners shop at Aldi, Lidl and Iceland. Waitrose my friendly (yet grasping and expensive ) local store, has persuaded me to take the 10 minute (albeit freedom pass ) train to Lidl rather than the 5 minute walk to Waitrose. Why? It's easy to spend £25.00 on very little at Waitrose, and actually difficult to spend as much as £25.00 on two full bags of goodies at Lidl. Plus, lugging two full bags of groceries home must be good for my core strength. I rest my case.

People who shop in Waitrose are not necessarily representative of the general population. The prices are higher there and I would imagine most people on a very limited budget would go somewhere cheaper.

That's a lot, Peaseblossom! I pay around £12 per month to Denplan which is bad enough as you only get a 20% discount on treatment.

Perhaps you should check which plan you're signed up to as I know they vary in price.

I am on Denplan and seriously thinking of stopping it as the next year (and it goes up every year!) will cost me £8.44 per week which is outrageous. I am 65 and got made redundant about 4 months ago after working as a Secretary in an Estate Agents for 9 years.

I shop regularly in Waitrose and I have not noticed much alcohol in other people's shopping, regardless of their age. I think the income of older people shopping in Waitrose may well be higher than average, although, if how people dress is any guide, the income and age of people shopping in my local Waitrose are pretty evenly spread across all income levels. This is the problem the customer profile and spending patterns in any chain of shops will vary from store to store for myriad reasons.

I hate silly generalisations from a sample of 1.

What tosh, caretaker. I'm often in Waitrose - my corner shop - and often meet other pensioners there. I am equally likely to run into them in Aldi as we are all cost-conscious. I have never seen any of them with a trolley full of bottles in either supermarket. The young professionals of my acquaintance are more likely to stock up with bottles of wine - the poor dears live such pressurised lives!

I guess if your sister works in Waitrose she won't see all the pensioners in Aldi buying their meagre supplies of gruel, Caretaker.

Well, again it could be different local authorities, but I'm pretty sure when you get your State Retirement Pension you will get a free bus pass. I just got mine, and I was surprised. But I can only use it in England not Wales or Scotland

I wouldn't. I've worked most of my life,paid taxes, so I would expect to get something back now my earnings have dropped to Retirement Pension.

Perhaps it's different local authorities then

Caretaker, you do come out with some strange comments!

I think Riley and co must all shop at Waitrose, db The pensioners at the Iceland and Lidl checkouts don't seem to have come into their inheritances yet.

Well that is reassuring caretaker!
My bottles make no sound as the nice man in Waitrose usually gives me a box to put my bottles in, in my trolley. But remind me to chase up my inheritance, it seems to have gone AWOL.
Out of interest, what was Riley's life like?

My sister who works in Waitrose tells me she can hear the pensioners coming to the check out long before she sees them, they are the one's with bottle after bottle of wine.
Most (not all) pensioners have inherited money and live the life of Reily.

I am 61 & unable to work, I gave up work at 50 (early retirement from Civil Service) I am currently on Employment & Support Allowance (Income based) so they subtract my Pension from any Benefit. Fortunately I also get Personal Independence Payment (was Disability Living Allowance or DLA), to my surprise I was also awarded extra money as no-one claims Carers Allowance (first time I've been given a Benefit without asking) which is to cover expenses for care when I need it.

Prescriptions I haven't paid for since 2003 as I had an Exception Certificate (Epilepsy & now Diabetes Type 2)

NHS Dentist - don't pay because of Benefit. Eye Tests - always got vouchers from Boots - now free & voucher towards new glasses.

Downside of Pension Age rise is no Bus Pass but buy Senior Rail Card - 1 trip to Yorkshire from Devon - saving £50

Don't pay Council Tax (Band A Property) & get Housing Benefit both which I had to apply for & prove Income & Savings.

I couldn't manage to live or pay my bills without my various Benefits - no wealthy Pensioner here (phoenix I might be coming to borrow helmet & flack jacket )

Meant radicalnan

Totally agree radicalgran

Oh yes, I see what you mean. I think Foxyferret meant to post on the 'How much mney/Savings' thread.

Well, that's what I thought Ff was referring to, Ana, but I couldn't connect it to any previous posts.

I believe it is worth still claiming Child Benfit even if it is clawed back via the tax system, because any non-working parent will then get credited with NI contributions which will count towards their state pension. You can claim that until the child is 12yo.

People who (individually) earn more than £50,000 are no longer entitled to Child Benefit. However a couple who each earn £49,999 are still entitled. The whole system is quite barmy....

The 7 year rule applies from when the gift/transaction took place. They have to live for at least 7 years afterwards to avoid penalties such as Inheritance Tax.

What '7 year thing', ff?

I think child benefit is taxed and, therefore, might not be worth claiming for higher rate tax payers.