More than 2,000 disabled people are among those who could see a hike in the amount of their council tax bill they are expected to pay.
Harrow Council is to consult on changing its local council tax support scheme which, following the devolution of the administration of council tax benefit to local councils, has seen working and disabled claimants have to contribute towards their council tax bill since April last year.
Currently working recipients pay at least 30 per cent, or more depending on their income, while residents with physical or mental disabilities and who meet specific criteria have to chip in at least 10 per cent.
The then-Conservative administration chose not to review the council tax support scheme in November but the new Labour administration’s cabinet committee voted on Thursday to reassess the affordability of the scheme and the level of payments demanded from citizens.
Jo Silcox, legal adviser on welfare benefits at Harrow Law Centre in Pinner Road, Harrow, said: “We are extremely concerned at any proposals to make further cuts to the council tax support scheme in Harrow.
“Harrow should be looking at improvements to the scheme, not making it worse for the most vulnerable in the community.
“It is a sad indictment that in 2014 in one of the wealthiest economies in the world we have returned to a benefit system which has more in common with the poor laws of the past than a modern 21st Century benefit system.”
Pensioners receiving council tax benefit will continue to be protected from any charge but an estimated 2,280 disabled people and 7,065 low income families would see an increase in their slice of the rates.
Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane, Harrow's Conservative spokesman for finance, said: "Predictably Labour are blaming the government, but the council has underspent by £25million over the past two years.
"So Labour could fund this benefit if they wanted to, but are cutting it instead - even though it's costing less than predicted and despite a great many people who receive it being disabled or facing other difficulties.
"Who'd have thought when Labour said they would 'make a difference for the vulnerable' they meant hitting them with bigger bills."
Other options under consideration are to remove the existing extra benefit for people who work longer hours, and changing the amount of savings a person can have before benefits are given.
Councillor Sachin Shah (Labour), the council’s portfolio holder for finance and major contracts, said: “I am committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our society from cuts from the government and Council Tax Support is designed to do just that.
“While pensioners will remain protected, there may be difficult choices ahead for other residents who currently get Council Tax Support.
“This consultation is about taking stock and picking the fairest route through the reality of the options before us and making the best choices for our community.
“It is vitally important that we hear from those potentially affected.”
The consultation runs from July 7 to September 12 and any changes to council tax contributions must be agreed by a vote of the full council.
Councillor David Perry, Labour Leader of the Council, said: "The Labour administration have opened up a consultation on Council Tax Support. Absolutely no decision has been taken on this issue.
"During the election we stood on a platform of residents engagement, and supporting those most in need in Harrow from the Conservative government cuts.
"These are two of our priorities and we shall work towards championing them both."
Harrow Council predicts a budget shortfall of £24.7million in 2015/16 and £20.7million in 2016/17.
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