HUNDREDS of pensioners are losing out on help to pay their council tax in Bracknell Forest, figures show.

Charities warn that vulnerable households may be missing out on the vital support they are entitled to, as the number of elderly people accessing support across England continued to plunge.

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Low-income households and pensioners in England can apply for a discount or exemption on their council tax under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

In Bracknell Forest , 2,006 pensioners were claiming support in the three months to December, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government figures show.

That was a 15 per cent drop compared to the same period in 2015, meaning 361 fewer people were receiving the help.

However, Bracknell Forest Council has said pensioners are not being withdrawn from support.

Stuart McKellar, director of finance, said: “Information on council tax discount eligibility for residents is available on our website. This eligibility is based on a national set of rules, set by the UK Government.

“While the number of pensioners claiming council tax support has decreased, this could be due to a number of reasons, and is not due to any withdrawal of support for those entitled to it.”

The scheme replaced the nationally-administered Council Tax Benefit in 2013, giving individual local authorities the power to decide who is eligible for support and what discounts to offer.

But Turn2us, a charity which helps people in financial hardship, says vulnerable households are struggling to navigate an increasingly complex and confusing system.

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Campaigns manager Varuk Kanish said: “Not since the poll tax have so many low-income households had to pay local taxes.

“The localisation of Council Tax Support schemes has increased the complexity of an already confusing system, resulting in more people missing out.

“We urge the Government to review this system and consider automatic entitlement for people who are struggling.”