You may be eligible for a council tax reduction to assist with your council tax payments. If you are receiving Universal Credit, you can still apply for a reduction.
There are two council tax reduction schemes available:
View our council tax reduction scheme for residents of working age
Our council tax reduction (CTR) scheme for people of working age switches to a banded discount system from 1 April 2026.
You must apply for council tax reduction, with discounts of 100 per cent, 75 per cent, 50 per cent and 25 per cent available, depending on your level of income and the income 'band' you qualify for (please note - your level of income may disqualify you from receiving a discount).
Applicants with savings of more than £6,000 do not qualify for council tax reduction.
Recipients of 'passported' benefits - Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based) or the Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) - qualify for a 100 per cent discount.
The discount bands in the table below refer to net weekly income:
| Discount | Singe income | Couple income | Single with one child | Couple with one child | Single with two children | Couple with two children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 - 100 per cent | £0.00 to £125.00 | £0.00 to £175.00 | £0.00 to £225.00 | £0.00 to £225.00 | £0.00 to £325.00 | £0.00 to £325.00 |
| Band 2 - 75 per cent | £125.01 to £175.00 | £175.01 to £225.00 | £225.01 to £275.00 | £225.01 to £275.00 | £325.01 to £375.00 | £325.01 to £375.00 |
| Band 3 - 50 per cent | £175.01 to £225.00 | £225.01 to £275.00 | £275.01 to £325.00 | £275.01 to £325.00 | £375.01 to £425.00 | £375.01 to £425.00 |
| Band 4 - 25 per cent | £225.01 to £275.00 | £275.01 to £325.00 | £325.01 to £375.00 | £325.01 to £375.00 | £425.01 to £475.00 | £425.01 to £475.00 |
| Band 5 - 0 per cent | £275.01 or more | £325.01 or more | £375.01 or more | £375.01 or more | £475.01 or more | £475.01 or more |
When calculating CTR, we use net weekly income (income you're left with after Income Tax, National Insurance and 50 per cent of any personal pension have been deducted).
You can make a claim for council tax reduction online.
Our online form guides you through the information you need to give us and the evidence we require to support your claim.
Make a claim for council tax reduction
If you need advice on making your claim, call our benefits team on (01788) 533433.
If you're receiving council tax reduction to help pay your council tax you must report any changes in your circumstances as soon as they occur. If you delay telling us, you will have to repay any council tax reduction that has been overpaid to you. If you delay telling us about a change and your council tax reduction increases you could lose money.
The following are examples of changes you must tell us about:
You can tell us about a change in your circumstances by completing our online form.