Council Tax Support

The Council Tax Support Scheme provides financial assistance to Council Tax charge payers on a low income whether they rent or own their home, or live rent-free, by reducing the amount of Council Tax they have to pay.

The Council will look at the money you and your partner have coming in as well as your savings. The Council will also look at your other circumstances such as your age. With this information the council will work out if you qualify for Council Tax Support.

If you have given Universal Credit permission to share your information with the Benefits Service you do not need to submit a new Council Tax Support claim, or supply proof of your award every week.

The Council Tax Support scheme changed on 1 April 2025 to a new income banded scheme for working age claimants.

Claimants of a state pensionable age receive support in accordance with the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2012

Council Tax Support for working age

The main aspects of the Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/2027 for working age claimants are:

A maximum reduction of 75% of a Band A Council Tax charge
A maximum of 2 children will be factored in when we calculate your entitlement
If you have more than £6000 in savings and/or capital, you will not qualify
There are no non-dependant deductions on working age claims
Council Tax Support is calculated by day, so it is awarded from the date the application was received.
Backdates may be considered up to one month

Change of Circumstances

Your Council Tax Support claim will be reviewed internally every 12 months

The Benefit Service has access to all Department of Work and Pensions benefits including Universal Credit and access to verify HMRC earnings
You only need to inform the Benefit Service of a change in your income if it increases or decreases by more than £50 per week
You should report a change of circumstance to your household or address within 21 days of the change via then link below:

REPORT a Change in your Circumstances

Bandings

Below shows how the bands are split and what each household composition is eligible for.

Weekly Net Income
Discount	Single	Couple	Lone Parent with 1 dependant	Lone Parent with 2 or more dependants	Couple with 1 dependant	Couple with 2 or more dependants
Band 1 75%	£0 to £110.00	£0 to £175.00	£0 to £210.00	£0 to £295.00	£0 to £275.00	£0 to £360.00
Band 2 50%	£110.01 to £160.00	£175.01 to £225.00	£210.01 to £260.00	£295.01 to £345.00	£275.01 to £325.00	£360.01 to £410.00
Band 3 25%	£160.01 to £210.00	£225.01 to £275.00	£260.01 to £310.00	£345.01 to £395.00	£325.01 to £375.00	£410.01 to £460.00
Band 4 0%	£210.01 or more	£275.01 or more	£310.01 or more	£395.01 or more	£375.01 or more	£460.01 or more

Earnings Disregards

Below are the disregards used in the calculation

Earnings Disregards
Single	£25.00
Couple	£25.00
Lone Parent	£25.00
Disabled	£25.00
Couple	£25.00

Disregarded Income

If you receive any of the below income, it will not be included in the calculation.

Personal Independence Payments
Disability Living Allowance
Attendance Allowance
Child Benefit
Disabled Child Element (UC)
Housing Element (UC)
LCW Element (UC)
LCWRA Element (UC)
Carer Element (UC)

Further information regarding the 2026/27 Council Tax Support Scheme can be found on the link below.

To see what your entitlement could be under the Council Tax Support scheme please use the on-line calculator and claim form.

Apply for Council Tax Support

Council Tax Support Scheme 2025/26

Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27

2026/27 Council Tax Support Hardship Fund

What if I disagree with the decision?

If you are unhappy with a decision we have made with regard to your Council Tax Support, you can ask us to explain our decision. Write to us with the reasons why you are unhappy with the decision, and we will look at the decision again.

If, after we have looked at the decision again, you are still not satisfied with our decision you can appeal. You can also appeal if you have not heard back from us within two months. If you decide to appeal, you will need to send your appeal to the Valuation Tribunal Service which will arrange for your appeal to be heard by an independent tribunal.

If you have problems accessing the application form please phone 0161 342 3708 for assistance.

Council Tax Support Scheme Appeal Form

Click here to download the online Council Tax Support Scheme Appeal form.