Thousands of people could see a reduction in the amount of support they get to pay their council tax.
Proposals put before South Holland District Council’s cabinet on Tuesday would generate a total of £203,777.
A report said of 3,511 people currently eligible for reductions in their bill, the vast majority are likely to see a reduction in support of less than 77p per week but changes for a few could be up to £26.60.
Government rules mean low-income pensioners are protected from reductions in their council tax relief.
However, council leader Gary Porter called for investigations into measures across council services to claw in income from pensioners who can afford to pay.
He said: “Is there any way we can make old, rich people pay some money rather than keep going after poor people?
“We keep going after the same people all the time who can’t do anything about it and end up taking people to court who can’t pay their bills.”
The changes are being considered as Government funding to cover the costs of the support scheme is diminishing and expected to disappear by 2019/20.
Councillors agreed to a consultation over the proposals, which would come into effect next April.
Protection from cuts would be given to people on war disablement pensions and war widows, people with children, disabilities and caring responsibilities and former services personnel.
The proposals include:
- Working age people on low incomes being entitled to up to 70 per cent rather than 75 per cent relief
- A reduction in the amount of savings and capital someone can have and still be eligible for relief
- An end to support for claimants who earn above the threshold but have low income adults living with them
- Decrease in rate of support for those who have non-dependant adults in the household
- Support restricted to a maximum amount based on a Band D property
- A limit of backdating to one month
Of the savings the proposals would generate, £21,865 would go to the district council, with the rest for Lincolnshire County Council and policing.
