Help to pay your Council Tax

If you are on a low income you may qualify for Council Tax reduction of -

  • up to 80% of your Council Tax bill if you are under pension age, on a low income and have savings and capital less than £6,000
  • up to 100% of your Council Tax if you are of pension age, on a low income and have savings that are less than £16,000. Or if you receive pension guarantee credit
  • up to 25% of your Council Tax bill if you are of pension age and have other adults living in your household who have low incomes. The other adults must not include a partner. This help is called ‘Alternative Council Tax Reduction’ and is based on the other adult’s income

By pension age we mean the age when a person reaches the qualifying age for state pension credit. Further information is available in our Council Tax Reduction scheme.

Apply for council Tax Reduction

For Universal Credit claimants only

Your reduction will be calculated, with a review of the award carried out, after a period of up to 6 months. This takes account of changes in Universal Credit that have occurred during that period.

Your reduction can be reviewed earlier if you report a change in your circumstances. These are changes you think will have a significant effect on your reduction. Where requested, a reduction can be backdated for up to 6 months. This is if Universal Credit has been awarded during this period.

A new claim for a reduction will not be required. This is unless your claim has been cancelled after a period of 6 consecutive months, and where you have not had a Universal Credit payment.

If you are on Universal Credit, there is an application form available for council tax reduction to download.

Report a change in circumstances

If you are already in receipt of Council Tax Reduction, you need to report any change of circumstances.

Report a change to your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction

If you want to know how much reduction you may be able to get, you can access our benefits calculator. Or you can use our budgeting tool for information.