50 signatures reached
To: Gravesham Borough Council, responsible for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and its implementationGravesham Borough Council – Leader of the Council and the Finance / Revenues & Benefits Department
Protect Disabled Residents from Unfair Council Tax in Gravesham
Gravesham Borough Council must stop counting disability-related benefits as income when calculating council tax, including during Universal Credit transitions. They must reassess all current council tax liabilities for disabled residents affected by this policy and ensure that future Council Tax Reduction schemes comply with the Equality Act 2010, treating disabled residents fairly and legally
Why is this important?
Gravesham Borough Council is taking disability-related benefits and premiums into account when calculating council tax, even though this money exists specifically to cover the extra costs of living with a disability. Disabled residents — including those who cannot work — are being forced to pay more council tax than they can afford.
This policy is particularly harmful during the transition from older benefits (Income Support or Family Tax Credit) to Universal Credit, when many disabled residents only notice the change once they are already financially disadvantaged. Some have seen their council tax jump from £29 to £156 per month without warning.
It affects both visible and hidden disabilities, including wheelchair users, mobility impairments, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, blindness, deafness, autism, ADHD, mental health conditions, chronic illnesses, rare diseases, and other overlooked conditions.
This treatment is discriminatory, uncaring, and unnecessary. Other councils protect disability-related income, proving that Gravesham’s policy is a conscious choice to target the most vulnerable residents.
We demand that Gravesham Borough Council:
1. Stop counting disability-related benefits as income in council tax calculations, including during Universal Credit transitions.
2. Reassess all current council tax liabilities for disabled residents affected by this policy.
3. Ensure future schemes comply with the Equality Act 2010, treating disabled residents fairly and respectfully.
Disabled residents are not disposable. We will not accept being punished for circumstances beyond our control. Sign this petition and share it to demand justice and accountability.
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Call-to-Action / Social Share Line:
“Gravesham Council is punishing disabled residents, visible and hidden, by taking our disability money for council tax. Sign and share to demand they stop!”
This policy is particularly harmful during the transition from older benefits (Income Support or Family Tax Credit) to Universal Credit, when many disabled residents only notice the change once they are already financially disadvantaged. Some have seen their council tax jump from £29 to £156 per month without warning.
It affects both visible and hidden disabilities, including wheelchair users, mobility impairments, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, blindness, deafness, autism, ADHD, mental health conditions, chronic illnesses, rare diseases, and other overlooked conditions.
This treatment is discriminatory, uncaring, and unnecessary. Other councils protect disability-related income, proving that Gravesham’s policy is a conscious choice to target the most vulnerable residents.
We demand that Gravesham Borough Council:
1. Stop counting disability-related benefits as income in council tax calculations, including during Universal Credit transitions.
2. Reassess all current council tax liabilities for disabled residents affected by this policy.
3. Ensure future schemes comply with the Equality Act 2010, treating disabled residents fairly and respectfully.
Disabled residents are not disposable. We will not accept being punished for circumstances beyond our control. Sign this petition and share it to demand justice and accountability.
---
Call-to-Action / Social Share Line:
“Gravesham Council is punishing disabled residents, visible and hidden, by taking our disability money for council tax. Sign and share to demand they stop!”
