The national Council Tax Benefit (CTB) scheme ended 31 March 2013 and was replaced by a locally determined system of Council Tax Support (CTS). The funding made available by the Government for the new scheme was reduced initially by 10% nationally and cash limited with further reductions each year expected through the financial settlement. The aim of the support scheme is to provide financial assistance to council taxpayers who have low incomes. Persons who are of state pension credit qualifying age are protected under the scheme in that the calculation of the support they are to receive has been set by Central Government. For working age applicants however the support they receive on the Isle of Wight is to be determined by the Council, therefore an EIA is required.
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