Council Tax Support

Help to pay your Council Tax if you are on low income or receive benefits.

Council Tax Support is a scheme to help you pay your Council Tax bill. You can claim if you own or rent your home. You can also claim if you are unemployed or working.

What you get depends on:

  • your income, number of children, benefits and residency status
  • your household income including savings, pensions and your partner's income
  • if your children live with you
  • if other adults live with you

If you are of working age, you cannot apply for Council Tax Support if you and/or your partner have more than £10,000 in savings or investments. For pensioners, the limit is £16,000 in savings or investments.

Apply for Council Tax Support

You can use a benefits calculator to see if you are eligible for Council Tax Support.

Use the online form below to submit your Council Tax Support application:

Start now

You can apply for a backdated claim of up to 6 months if you:

  • have a good reason for a late claim
  • can provide proof to support your claim, such as a hospital stay or mental incapacity

You need to provide evidence to support your claim for Council Tax Support. You will be told what documents to provide when you apply online. Find out how to send evidence for your benefit claim.

How Council Tax Support is paid

The reduction amount for the full financial year is paid into your Council Tax account. You will then be sent a new bill for the reduced amount.

Download our Council Tax Support scheme 2025 to 2026 for more information.

Council Tax Support scheme.pdf (PDF, 1.72 MB)

Tell us about changes to your situation

If you receive Council Tax Support, you must let us know if you move home or of any other change that may affect your benefit. 

Find out how to report a change that affects benefits.

Disagree with or appeal a decision

You can contact us to disagree with a decision about you receiving Council Tax Support. We will then write to you explaining any changes or why we cannot change our decision.

Appeals must be made in writing within one month of the date on the decision letter. Make sure you are aware of the strict time limits when appealing a decision.

If you have been told the decision is not going to change after disagreeing, you can appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal for England, which is an independent body. 

Other financial support

Let us know if you have problems paying your Council Tax. If you find it difficult to meet your monthly repayments, you can apply for a Council Tax repayment arrangement.

You may also be eligible to apply for Housing Benefit or claim Universal Credit.

Find out more about other benefit types.