A SCHEME to check up on people claiming single person council tax discounts has been criticised for scaring elderly residents in the evening.

Tendring Council said its initiative to contact single person households by telephone has now been revised.

The revenues and benefits team is making the calls to around 25,000 people who are claiming single person discount on their council tax bills.

They are checking whether their circumstances have changed and whether anyone else is living in the property.

Councillors had raised concerns about the time that people – especially the elderly - were being called and the type of questions being asked.

John Hughes, cabinet member for benefits and revenues, said changes have now been made to the script used by the staff.

“We are also looking at calling during the day on Saturdays and if it is not convenient making another appointment,” he added.

Mr Hughes said that there were a large number of households claiming the discount and it was believed that around 30 per cent were claiming it incorrectly.

“Many are entitled to the discount but not all - and some are not being as honest about it as they might be,” he said.

Mr Hughes said it would be impossible to make individual appointments with each person due to the time it would take.