Last updated:
15th April 2026
Council Tax Reduction scheme
The Working Age local Council Tax Reduction Scheme
This scheme is banded and based on your monthly income and your household.
Conditions of the scheme:
- If your capital is greater than £4000, you will not be entitled to any Council Tax Reduction
- We cannot backdate any Council Tax Reduction claims
- The minimum award of Council Tax reduction is £3 per week
- Examples of income include salary, pensions and Universal Credit
- Council Tax reduction will only be paid to the level of a Band D property. So if your property is in a higher Council Tax band, you will only be able to get help up to the cost of a Band D property
- We will disregard Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Armed Forces Independence Payments and War Disablement Payments as income
- We will disregard Child Benefit and Child Maintenance payments as income
- If you are working, we will disregard £7.50 per week from any take home pay
- If you are a Carer, we will disregard any Carer's Allowance that you receive
- If you have other adults living in your property, that are not your partner, you may receive a lower amount of Council Tax Reduction, due to a non-dependent deduction being applied
You will get a £5 reduction if you have adults living with you who are:
- In receipt of Universal Credit, Income Related Employment Support Allowance, Income based Job seekers Allowance or Guaranteed Pension Credit
- Of state pension age
- Not working
- Working and earn up to £139.99
You will get a £10 reduction if you have adults living with you who are:
- Working and earn more than £140 per week
If you are a joint tenant or live at the address with another joint owner you'll only be able to claim Council Tax Reduction for a proportion of the overall bill.
If you are a couple you must make a claim for Council Tax Reduction as a couple and your award will be based on your household circumstances. If your circumstances change, you must let us know within 21 days of the change. This is because any changes may affect the amount of Council Tax Reduction or Benefits you are entitled to.
Receiving Council Tax Reduction
Payment is made to your Council Tax account. You will receive a revised Council Tax bill when you are awarded Council Tax Reduction. This will tell you if you still have money to pay towards your Council Tax bill. You should continue to pay your regular monthly Council Tax instalments while your Council Tax Reduction application is being considered.
