The ways your council tax bill might be reduced
Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for a reduction on your Council Tax bill.
Your Council Tax bill may be reduced in the following ways:
Council Tax Reduction
If you have a low income, you might be eligible for Council Tax Reduction (also known as Council Tax Support). Each council in England and Wales has such a scheme.
Disability Reduction Scheme
Your council tax bill might be reduced if somebody living in the property has a substantial and
permanent disability. To apply for a reduction, you must prove that a disabled person lives in the
property and the property has at least one of the following:
- an additional kitchen or bathroom to meet the demands of a disabled person;
- any other room (except a toilet) that is mainly used by a disabled person to meet their
needs; or - sufficient indoor place for a disabled person to use their wheelchair safely.
Second Adult Rebate
If you live in England, you might claim the Second Adult Rebate if you live with another adult who:
- have a low income;
- does not have a liability to pay the Council Tax bill; and
- does not pay rent to you.
Discounts
You might be eligible for a 25% discount on your Council Tax bill if you are the sole adult living in the home or you live in the property with people who are disregarded for Council Tax purposes.
You are disregarded if you are one of the following:
- Between 0-17 years old age group.
- Getting certain disability benefits because of your mental disability.
- A prisoner or somebody in detention awaiting deportation or has mental health issues
and ‘severely mentally impaired. - A full-time student on a qualifying course of education (including correspondence or
on-line courses), a student nurse or a Foreign Language Assistant on the official
British Council programme (if only students live in the property then it is free from
council tax). - A spouse, civil partner or dependant of a student who is a non-British Citizen and
who, under immigration rules, is not permitted either to work in the UK or apply for a
benefit. - A young person on a government training scheme or some types of apprenticeship.
- A patient or resident staying in a hospital or care home on a long-term basis.
- Elderly, physically / mentally disabled, or past or present alcohol/drug dependant
a person living in a hostel that provides care or treatment. - A live-in care worker.
- Staying in a hostel or night shelter.
- A school or college leaver aged under 20 and you have left school or college after 30
April. So, you will be disregarded until 1 November of the same year regardless of being
employed. - Aged 18 and somebody is eligible for Child Benefit for you.
- A religious community member.
- A visiting armed force member and your dependants.
If everybody living in the property is disregarded, there will still be a Council Tax bill, but with a 50% discount.
Discretionary reduction
The council also owns the discretion power to make reductions to your council tax bill (or previous
debt) partly or fully. They can consider this if you have liability to pay the council tax bill and you
have severe financial difficulty as an exceptional circumstance.
How we can help
Leston’s can liaise with the council on your behalf, just send us as much information as you can find we will make every effort to investigate the situation with the council officer appointed to your case. To gain our assistance simply click on the “Create a case” link at the top of this page to initiate a case.
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