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Council Tax Support

Council Tax Support is a local means-tested scheme for people on low incomes to help them pay their Council Tax. Any owner-occupier or tenant aged 18 or over who is legally responsible for the Council Tax can claim Council Tax Support.

How to apply

If you are on a low income or claiming benefits such as Universal Credit you may be eligible for Council Tax Support. 

It takes us on average 21 days to process a new Council Tax Support claim. This may be quicker if you provide all the evidence we need as soon as possible.

You must keep paying your Council Tax as billed, even if you have applied for Council Tax Support. 

EU citizens, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals can make a claim for, or remain entitled to, Council Tax Support if they have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and have been granted settled status, or pre-settled status and also have a right to reside.

How we make our decision

The amount of Council Tax Support you can get is based on your:

  • income
  • savings
  • circumstances

We update our Council Tax Support scheme each year. Read about the Council Tax Support scheme 2023/24 and Council Tax Support scheme 2024/25.

Changes to your circumstances

Changes in your circumstances may affect the amount of benefits you can receive. 

You must tell us if you have a change in circumstances.

You will need:

  • the 9-digit benefit reference number which you can find on any of your Council Tax Support letters (starts with a 5 or 6)
  • your National Insurance Number

Suspended awards

If you receive Council Tax Support we sometimes have to suspend your claim because of a change in your circumstances. We will contact you and tell you what supporting evidence we need you to provide. 

How to appeal

If you disagree with a Council Tax Support decision, find out how you can make an appeal against a decision.

Council Tax Support scheme information 

We update our Council Tax Support Scheme each year. Read the information for the current and previous years. 

Council Tax Support Scheme 2024 to 2025

Council Tax Support Scheme 2023 to 2024

Chief Executives Direction of Acceptance