Council Tax Reduction

Council Tax Reduction, sometimes called Council Tax Support and formerly Council Tax Benefit, lowers the Council Tax bill for people on a low income or benefits. According to GOV.UK, it can reduce your bill by up to 100%, and you can apply whether you own or rent, work or are unemployed.

In England, each council designs its own scheme for working-age people under section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, so the help varies by area. People of State Pension age are covered by rules set nationally in the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2012. Scotland and Wales have their own schemes, and Northern Ireland has a separate rates scheme.

According to GOV.UK, what you get depends on your household income (including savings, pensions and a partner's income), your circumstances and benefits, whether your children live with you and whether other adults live with you. You apply to your council, even if you already get Universal Credit.

Example: suppose your bill is £1,800 a year and your council's scheme covers 80% for someone in your position. Council Tax Reduction of £1,440 leaves £360 to pay, or £30 a month. The 80% is an illustration only, so check your own council's scheme.

Estimate your bill with the Council Tax calculator and your benefit with the Universal Credit calculator, and read every Council Tax discount and who gets it.