Apply for Council Tax reduction
Can I claim Council Tax Reduction if I am already claiming benefits?
If you or your partner are claiming Universal Credit please use this form to make an application for Council Tax Reduction:
Council Tax Reduction - Universal Credit application form (PDF: 244 Kb / 8 pages)
If you or your partner are claiming:
- Income Support
- Job Seeker's Allowance (Income Based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related) or
- Pension Credit
- download the application form linked below
- or contact the Benefits Team immediately for an application form.
Can I claim Council Tax Reduction if I do not receive any other benefits?
You can still apply for a Council Tax Reduction.
- download the application form linked below
- or contact the Benefits Team immediately for an application form.
We base any reduction on your income and your personal or family circumstances.
Once we receive your completed form, together with all necessary information, including your proof of identity, we will assess your claim for a Council Tax reduction.
Do my partner and I have to make separate claims?
If you live with a partner you should only make one application for both of you. It does not matter which of you claim, unless one of you is a student. If one of you is a student, and the other is not, it is the non-student who should claim. Enter the student as your partner on the form.
If you do not provide all the information that we ask for, we will not be able to work out your entitlement.
Council Tax Reduction application form (PDF: 248 Kb / 15 pages)
When does Council Tax Reduction start and end?
Your Council Tax Reduction will start on the Monday following the date we receive your application.
You must return application forms requested in:
- a visit
- by telephone
- letter
- email, or
- during a telephone application for another benefit with Jobcentre Plus, or the Pension Service
within a month of the date of issue. This is for payment to start from the Monday following the date you made your request. This will even apply if we receive your claim on a Monday. It is very important that you send the form as soon as possible. You can send any information to go with the form at a later date.
Read about backdating your Council Tax reduction if you wish your reduction to start from an earlier date.
If your entitlement to a reduction stops due to a change in your circumstances, you will receive a reduction up to and including the Sunday following the date that the change occurred. You will receive a reduction up to and including the day before you move out.
How often do I need to apply for a Council Tax Reduction?
You do not have to apply again for a Council Tax reduction. You must inform us about changes in your circumstances when they arise. We undertake checks on applications. We may write or visit you from time to time to verify the information you provided.