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Appeals

If you disagree with a decision that has been made about your Council Tax bill, Business Rates, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, then you have the right appeal.

Find out more using the links below:

 

Appeal Business Rates rates bill

If you wish to appeal against your rateable value, it is free to do so, visit the Valuation Office Agency website.

You do not have to be represented in discussions about your rateable value or your rates bill, however if you do wish to be represented, qualified and regulated members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV), can provide this service. 

Further information on Business Rates can be found on the Businesslink website.

Rogue business rates agents

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is urging businesses to protect themselves from rogue business rates agents. VOA is aware of false claims that the deadline for appeals to the 2023 rating lists is 30 June. Businesses can challenge their valuation if they think it’s incorrect and are generally able to challenge their property valuation on the 2023 list at any time until March 2026.

Most agents are reputable and provide a good service, but a small minority act in bad faith. Businesses should be cautious of any agent who tries to pressure them to make a decision or sign a contract, makes claims about ‘unclaimed credits’ or similar or demands large sums of money up front.

The VOA has produced a checklist to help businesses if they want to use a business rates agent. If individuals are concerned about potential misrepresentation by agents, send any evidence to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Appeal liability to pay Council Tax or Business Rate

You may also appeal if you consider that you are not liable to pay, i.e. you don't live there or do not own the property, or we have made a mistake calculating your bill.

If you wish to appeal on these grounds you must contact us in writing with the details, and we will readily review the situation.

Please note: Making an appeal does not allow you to withhold payment of tax owing in the meantime. If your appeal is successful you will be entitled to a refund of any overpaid tax.

If you make an appeal and you are still not satisfied that a proper decision has been reached, you can contact the Listing Officer.

You can find more information on the Valuation Tribunal Service website.

Appeal Council Tax valuation bands 

All Council Tax valuations are based on the price a property would have fetched if it had been sold on 1 April 1991.

Any increase or fall in a dwelling's value which results from general changes in the housing market since then, will not affect your Council Tax band. However, you can appeal if:

  • There is a big increase or reduction in the value of your home
  • You start or stop using part of the home for business
  • You have just moved address (you must appeal within six months of your move)
  • The Listing Officer alters the band
  • We are sending bills to the wrong person for your home
  • Your home should be an exempt dwelling (view discounts and exemptions)
    the amount of the bill is incorrect, for example, if you think a discount should apply or if the council has not reduced the bill for a disability.

Please note: The Listing Officer can increase your band if an error has been made. If you think your band is too low you may wish to can contact the Listing Officer.

If you make an appeal and you are still not satisfied that a proper decision has been reached, you can contact the Listing Officer.

You can find more information on the Valuation Tribunal Service website.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support appeals

If you think that our decision about your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support is wrong, you can ask us to explain the reasons for the decision, ask us to look at the decision again or appeal against the decision. 

The decision could be about:

  • the amount of benefit payable
  • the rent eligible for the benefit
  • the calculation of a claimant's income
  • the calculation and recovery of an overpayment
  • council tax banding

Housing Benefit appeals

1. You must appeal in writing within one month of the date of the decision letter (not the date you contact the office). 

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Post: Revenues and Benefits, PO Box 11, Pershore, WR10 1PU

2. If you disagree with the reply, you have the right to appeal again or request a revision of our decision. You have one month from the date of the decision to write and ask us to look at it again.

3. If we have explained our decision and you still think it is wrong, you can appeal against it. Your request in writing must be sent back to us within one month of the date of the decision letter.

4. If we agree that the original decision is wrong we will send you a new decision and your appeal will stop. If we do not change the decision, your appeal will be sent to the Appeals Service. An independent Appeal Tribunal, made up of experts appointed by the Appeals Service will look at the appeal.

View Appeals Service website.

If you feel that the Appeal Tribunal's decision is wrong in law, you can seek to appeal to the Social Security Commissioners.

Council Tax Support appeals

1. If you want us to look at the decision again, you must do it in writing within one month of the date of the decision letter, (not the date you contact the office).

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Post: Revenues and Benefits, PO Box 11, Pershore, WR10 1PU

2. If you are not happy after our reply, you can appeal, of which there is no time limit. If you are still not happy with the outcome, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

Some decisions, mainly administrative decisions, do not carry a right of appeal. We will tell you if what you are disputing does not carry the right of appeal.

If you have any further questions regarding appeals please contact us via our contact us page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New benefits claims

We provide advice and guidance information to help you with new applications for benefits, to assist with the living costs.

In this section, you can also report a change in your circumstances to our team and use the benefits calculator on GOV.UK to find out what benefits you could be eligible for.

Housing Benefit Council Tax Support Disability benefits Report benefit fraud Local Housing Allowance Universal Credit Pension Credit

Find information to help with your queries relating to benefit overpayments, choosing a bank account, income related benefits and non-dependant deductions.

Benefits overpayments

An overpayment can happen if we pay you benefit that you are not entitled to. For example, if you didn't tell us that your income had increased, and a recalculation of your benefits meant that you had been paid too much benefit.

We recover overpayments from either the person who caused the overpayment or the person who received the overpayment.

If we give you too much benefit, we will send you a letter. The letter we send you will tell you:

  • Why we gave you too much benefit
  • How much the overpayment is
  • If you have to pay back the amount
  • How you can appeal if you think this is wrong

If the overpayment relates to council tax support, we will send you a revised council tax bill, and you will usually have to pay more council tax.

Find further appeals information on the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support page.

Please Note: We may also decide to take criminal proceedings in respect of fraudulent overpayments.

Choosing a bank account

You will need a bank account to receive benefit payments, having a bank account will help you to arrange standing order payments to your landlord, if you rent privately. To open an account you can seek advice from any of our contact centres in Droitwich, Evesham, Pershore.

Find out about the types of bank accounts which are available on the Citizens Advice website.

Income related benefits

If you are of working age, financial support will be provided to you by Universal Credit, visit GOV.UK for more information.

People in receipt of Universal Credit may be entitled to Council Tax Support and help with housing costs, this needs to be claimed directly from our new claim page.

If you are over working age, find further information on help you can receive on our Pension Credit page.

Non Dependant Deductions

A non-dependant is someone who is over 18 and lives with you on a non-commercial basis. This means that you are not charging them rent in order to make money, although they may contribute some money towards household bills. An example of a non-dependant could be an adult son or daughter or another relative or even a friend that lives with you.

If a non-dependant lives with you, your Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support is reduced by a fixed amount. What that amount is, depends on the circumstances of the non-dependant. This is because the non-dependant is expected to help with the cost of your household expenses (even if they don't).These fixed amounts are set by the government and they apply whether you are of working age or of State Pension age.

For current Housing Benefit non-dependant deductions visit the Shelter website

Deductions for non-dependant couples

If the non-dependants living with you are a couple (living together as a couple, married or in a civil partnership) then their incomes are combined and one deduction is made based on that.

Deductions for a joint tenancy or joint owners

If you have a joint tenancy and the non-dependant lives in the house with both of you, then any deduction will be half of a normal non-dependent amount.

When deductions are not made

In some instances, non-dependant deductions are not made but this will depend on the circumstances of you and your partner and any of your non-dependants.

Deductions are not made if you or your partner: 

  • are receiving attendance allowance
  • are registered as blind
  • are receiving Disability Living Allowance (the care component)    
  • are receiving the Personal Independence Payment (the daily living component)

Deductions are not made if your non-dependant is: 

  • under 25 and receiving Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase
  • under 25 receiving Universal Credits and is not working  
  • receiving a youth training allowance 
  • temporarily living elsewhere such as your son or daughter is away at university
  • in prison
  • a full time student  
  • receiving Pension Credit
  • receiving hospital inpatient treatment for more than 52 weeks
  • serving in the Armed or Reserves Forces and is away on operation but intends to return home between deployments.

Contact us

If you wish to speak to someone regarding your benefits application or overpaid Housing Benefit please call 03004 560 560

Visit our contact us page.

Please note: calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.

If you have any further comments, suggestions or complaints please: write to us at South Worcestershire Revenues and Benefits Shared Services, PO Box 11, Pershore, WR10 1PU, or you can e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

You should note that Council Tax enquiries should be directed to the Council Tax department and not the Benefits department.

Manage your Council Tax and Business Rates account

Please note that we have now completed our system upgrade. If you had a self-serve account prior to August 2022 you will need to re-register your details for a new account as we have changed software suppliers.

Log in to your Open Portal (Previously Self Service) account to access, manage and view your:

  • Council Tax account

  • Business Rate account

  • Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support claim

  • Tenants Housing Benefit claims

Using your Open Portal (Previously Self Service) account can save you time, effort and money. There is no need for you to visit us, ring us or write to us. You can view and manage your account or claim online, at a time that suits you.

Log in to your Open Portal (Previously Self Service) account

Why do I need an account?

  • To see full details of your account or claim
  • How your charges or benefits are worked out
  • Check your discounts and allowances
  • See when your payments are due
  • View bills and letters we send to you (paperless e-billing)
  • Set up a Direct Debit or make a payment
  • Change your payment date
  • Make an arrangement to pay your council tax if you fall behind with your payments
  • Tell us about a change of address
  • Search for a Council Tax band or Business Rates rateable value
  • Apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support
  • Landlords can view benefit awards, payment details and correspondence.

How to register

  • Fill your details in on the registration page. You will need to tell us:
    • your account number, claim number or landlord reference (on your bill or benefit letter)
    • your e-mail address
  • You will then be asked some security questions about your account or claim. If you answer those questions correctly you will be able to log in immediately.

If you need guidance to use your Open Portal account then contact us. Visit our contact us page.

Register for an Open Portal (Previously Self Service) account

Other ways to pay Council Tax or Business Rates

If you want to use a different way to pay your Council Tax bill and Business Rates? Visit our How to Pay page for options to pay via Cheque, Post Office or telephone.

Benefits and Council Tax contacts

For enquiries about your Council Tax bill, Business Rates, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support.

Please ensure that you provide your full name, address and reference number (if you have one) to enable us to respond to your query. We’ll be unable to trace your account without these details.

Council Tax
Telephone: 03004 560 560
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Business Rates
Telephone: 03004 560 560
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support
Telephone: 03004 560 560
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.

Please note: calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.

Postal address

Revenues and Benefits, PO Box 11, Pershore, WR10 1PU

Our main office is at Pershore Civic Centre but we also have Community Contact Centres in Evesham and Droitwich.

Pershore Civic Centre

Opening hours

Address

Pershore One Stop Shop
Civic Centre
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore
WR10 1PT

Telephone

Email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Maps and directions

Droitwich Contact Centre

Opening hours

  • Tuesday: 9:30am - 3:30pm
  • If you would like to see us in Droitwich or Evesham outside of these hours, we may be able to book you an appointment. Please call 01386 565000 and hold for the operator.
  • The Council operates a smoke free site at Droitwich Spa Library. No smoking is permitted inside the building or in the immediate vicinity.

Address

Droitwich Spa Community Contact Centre
Droitwich Spa Library
Victoria Square
Droitwich Spa
WR9 8DQ

Telephone

Email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Maps and directions

Evesham Contact Centre

Opening hours

  • Friday: 9:30am - 3:30pm
  • If you would like to see us in Droitwich or Evesham outside of these hours, we may be able to book you an appointment. Please call 01386 565000 and hold for the operator.
  • The Council operates a smoke free site at Evesham Community Contact Centre. No smoking is permitted inside the building or in the immediate vicinity.

Address

Evesham Community Contact Centre
Evesham Library,
Oat Street,
Evesham
WR11 4PJ

Telephone

Email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Maps and directions

Open Portal account

Our Open Portal gives you instant online access to manage and view your:

  • Council Tax account
  • Business Rate account
  • Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support claim
  • Tenants Housing Benefit claims

Sign into your Open Portal (Self Service) account

Using Open Portal can save you time, effort and money. There is no need for you to visit us, ring us or write to us - you can view and manage your account or claim online at a time that suits you.

Find out more information about Open Portal (Self Service).

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