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Council tax reductions

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Claiming Council Tax Benefit can cut your bill by an average of £728 a year. Whether you own your home or you pay rent, find out if you are eligible so you have one less bill to worry about. Check whether you're entitled to any other reductions or discounts which may be available and are not means-tested.

Can I claim Council Tax Benefit?

Council Tax Benefit is a means-tested benefit, so the help you receive depends on your income and savings. The amount you get also depends on who you live with, how much Council Tax you pay, and whether you get any disability or carer's benefits.

You normally need to have less than £16,000 in savings, unless you get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, in which case there is no savings limit and your Council Tax could be fully covered.

Other ways to reduce your council tax bill

  • If you live alone, you get a 25% discount. You may even qualify for this discount if there are other people living with you such as a carer who is not your partner, or someone who is severely mentally impaired.
  • The Disability Reduction Scheme can reduce your bill if your home has special features to enable a disabled person to live in it, such as wheelchair space or an extra bathroom. See our Home and Care section for more information about adapting your home.
  • Second Adult Rebate can help you if you share your home with someone on a low income, who isn't jointly liable with you to pay Council Tax and doesn't pay your rent.
  • You may not have to pay at all if your home is empty (for example, you have left to go to hospital or a care home).

Use our online opens link in new window benefits calculator to find out whether you could be eligible for Council Tax Benefit.

How to claim Council Tax reductions

You can get a claim form for Council Tax Benefit by phoning the Housing and Council Tax Benefit section of your local council or by visiting the opens link in new window Department for Work and Pension website. You can apply for Council Tax Benefit at the same time as applying for Pension Credit. Contact your local council to apply for discounts or the Disability Reduction Scheme.

opens link in new window Download the Council Tax factsheet (PDF 163 KB)

The following guide and factsheets are only applicable to people over pension age.

opens link in new window Download More money in your pocket: a guide to claiming benefits for people over pension age (PDF 3 MB)

opens link in new window Download the Housing Benefit and Council Tax factsheet (PDF 232 KB)

opens link in new window Download the Capital, income and means-tested benefits factsheet (PDF 215 KB)

If you are under pension age, please download the following guide and factsheet.

opens link in new window Download Claiming benefits: a guide for people of working age (PDF 1 MB)

opens link in new window Download the Benefits for people under State Pension age factsheet (PDF 298 KB)

We are grateful for the generous support of Dr Naim Dangoor CBE
and The Exilarch's Foundation

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Useful information to download

  • A factsheet that outlines the most important aspects of the Council Tax system.
  • A factsheet with information on both Housing and Council Tax benefit.
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Useful website

    The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for a range of benefits and services for pensioners and people planning pensions.
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