Council Tax Reduction

Find out whether you may be entitled to support if you or your partner are on a low income.

Pension age Council Tax Reduction

If you or your partner have reached State Pension age and are on a low income, you may qualify. This is a national scheme, and the rules are set by the Government.

You are not treated as Pension Age for CTR, if you or your partner receive Universal Credit, Income‑related Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, or Income‑based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA).

If you receive Guaranteed Pension Credit, you will normally receive the maximum CTR, which covers 100% of your Council Tax bill, (minus any non dependant deductions).

If you receive any other income or benefits, or if you are working, your Council Tax Reduction will be based on the total income, savings and capital held by you (and your partner).

Council tax reduction

Income we use

We use the following types of income when working out your CTR:

  • Unearned income – such as private pensions/superannuation, State Pension, and Carers Allowance (This list is not a full list).
  • Earnings – Your net monthly earnings (after tax, National Insurance, and half of pension contributions) including any overtime or back pay. Self-employed earnings.

The following types of income are not included when working out your CTR:

  • Disability benefits and other government administered allowances - Examples include PIP/DLA and Attendance Allowance, Child Benefits, War Pensions and Cold Weather Payments

Your weekly income is compared with a Government set figure called your Applicable Amount, which reflects your household’s needs.

If your assessed income is the same as or lower than your Applicable Amount, you will get the maximum Council Tax Reduction, less any non dependant deductions.

If your income is higher than your Applicable Amount, your CTR will be reduced.

Savings and capital

The first £10,000 of your savings is ignored.

For savings between £10,000 and £15,999, we assume a weekly income of £1 for every £500 (or part of £500).

If you have £16,000 or more in savings, you will not qualify for CTR unless you receive Guaranteed Pension Credit.

Non dependant deductions (other adults living with you)

If another adult lives with you (who is not your partner) they are called a non-dependent. If a non-dependent lives with you, your council tax reduction may be reduced. This is called a non-dependent deduction.

If the non- dependent is working and weekly gross earnings are:

  • less than £266.00 - £5.00 deduction
  • £266.00 to £463.00 - £10.20 deduction
  • £463.00 to £577.00 - £12.80 deduction
  • £577 or more - £15.35 deduction

If the non dependant is not working, the deduction is £5.00.

We will not make a deduction if you or your partner is:

  • Blind
  • Receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Care at the middle higher rate
  • Receiving Personal Independent Payment (PIP) Daily Living
  • Receiving Attendance Allowance

We will not make a deduction if the non-dependent living is:

  • A full-time student
  • Receiving Pension Credit
  • Entitled to Universal Credit with no earnings used in their award

Second Adult Rebate

You may qualify for Second Adult Rebate if you:

  • are liable for the Council Tax bill
  • do not have a partner, and
  • share your home with someone aged 18 or over who is on a low income and doesn’t pay you rent

The rebate is based on the second adult’s gross income, not yours. You cannot get this rebate and CTR – we will award the one that gives you the largest reduction.

How to apply CTR

How to apply

If you think you may qualify, complete the application form below.

You will need:

  • National Insurance number for you and your partner (if applicable)
  • Full name and dates of birth for everyone in your household
  • Your household income, savings, investments and expenses – including things like childcare costs and private pension contributions.

The application has two parts. The first is a calculator to show what you may get; the second is the claim form. You can save your progress and return to the form later using your reference number and password.

Start Here

If you would like to know how much Council Tax you should pay, you can use the benefits calculator to estimate your bill while you wait. It doesn’t guarantee the exact amount, but it will give you an idea until your claim is processed.

A relative or someone you trust can help you complete the application. If you have no one who can help, call 0151 443 4042.

Chat with us