Council Tax Reduction - low income households

Who can claim

You can claim if you:

• are responsible for paying the Council Tax bill, and
• have savings under £16,000

You may still qualify if you have more than £16,000 in savings and received Guaranteed Pension Credit.

We may send you a text message about Council Tax Reduction, including a link to check your eligibility using our calculator.

Will I qualify?

Use our online calculator to check if you will get Council Tax Reduction.

If you do not qualify but an adult who is not your partner lives with you and has a low income, you may be able to apply for Second Adult Reduction.

What you will receive

Important:

• if you have savings of £16,000 or more, you will not be entitled to Council Tax Reduction, unless you receive Guaranteed Pension Credit
• the amount of Council Tax Reduction you receive is based on your council tax charge and does not include water and wastewater charges
• if you have someone living with you, aged 18 or over, a deduction may be made form the amount of Council Tax Reduction you are entitled to based on their income, unless they are jointly liable with you
• if you are also liable to pay rent, you will also be assessed for Housing Benefit based on the above criteria if you are eligible

If the amount you get is less than your Council Tax bill, you need to pay the difference, as well as water and waste water charges.

Claim a Council Tax Reduction

The quickest way to apply is using our online form below.

If you are self employed, complete our Self employed earnings information form.

If you recently applied for Universal Credit or Pension Credit and said you want to apply for Council Tax Reduction, the Department for Work and Pensions may send us your details. You still need to submit your own application.

How your reduction is paid

Any Council Tax Reduction is paid direct to your Council Tax account.

If your Council Tax Reduction changes, we’ll send you an updated Council Tax bill. We aim to give you at least 14 days’ notice before your next payment is due.

If there’s less than 14 days before your next payment, your new amount will start from the following month instead.

Requesting a backdate

We normally assess your claim from the date we receive your application. However, your claim may be assessed from an earlier date in the following circumstances:

• if you are pension age
  we will automatically backdate your claim by up to three months. You do not need to request this
• if you are working age and living in temporary or supported accomodation
  You may request a backdate of your Council Tax Reduction claim to the date your circumstances changed
  • The maximum period we can backdate your claim is six months from the date you make the request.
  • You must tell us the date your circumstances changed when you apply for the backdate.

Tell us about any changes

For information or to report changes, see our change of circumstances information.

If you disagree with a decision

If you’re unhappy with a decision about your Council Tax Reduction, request a review.