If you're over 65 and on a low income, or if you have difficulty getting around and your home has been adapted to help you live there, you may be eligible for a reduction in your council tax.
- Council Tax Benefit could lead to a reduction on your bill, depending on your circumstances. To qualify, you normally need to have less than £16,000 in savings.
- If you are entitled to Income Support, or the ‘guarantee credit’ of Pension Credit, your council tax could be paid for you in full.
- If you live alone, you're also eligible for a 25% reduction on your council tax bill.
- The Disability Reduction Scheme can reduce your bill if you're disabled and your home has been adapted to help you live there, with additions such as wheelchair space or an extra bathroom or kitchen specifically for your use.
Making a Council Tax claim
If you think you might be entitled to a reduction in your council tax, you can get a claim form by phoning the Housing and Council Tax Benefit section of your local council, or by downloading the claim form from the Department for Work and Pensions website. If you're claiming Pension Credit, you can claim Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit in one call.
You can find out more about Council Tax Benefit at Directgov, the government’s official online source of information on benefits.
