Is the Nordic Council effective?

Council Tax/ Council Tax Benefit help!?

• Im 20 years old, employed and live with my father who is claiming benefits and council tax benefit. At the moment i have to pay £264 to the housing association a month in rent and then add an extra £90 for my father for gas/electric etc all in all thats £350. Recently the local authority have given me a council tax debt of £1200 as i was employed and weren't paying the council tax... i wasn't aware i had to start paying it. The only issue i have is the fact the debt of £1200 is in my dads name but he seems to think its my debt as im employed and have been so for the past couple of years where this debt has accumulated. As my dad gets council tax benefit what exactly is this money supposed to go on? is that money meant to contribute to the council tax i pay as i thought council tax was split amongst the household or does he pay his own council tax and this debt in his name i pay? Im all very confused and dont 100% fully understand what council tax benefit is all about. Id appreciate some explanations and advice. Thanks

• Answer:

  Before you became an adult your father received Council tax benefits and most likely a 25% discount too as the only adult in the household. When you became an adult (18) - the single person discount would have stopped. Meaning the whole bill is due -then your income would affect the benefits your father would be entitled to claim including housing benefit and council tax- as you are classed as an adult, an earner and part of the household. The bill may be in your father's name but the calculation for the bill will have taken all adults, earning or on benefits, into account as far as benefit entitlement goes.