Important notice
Important notice
If you have any questions about your Council Tax bill, please see our frequently asked questions.
Council Tax Support Scheme – 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
Before you apply for Council Tax Support, check whether you could get a Council Tax discount, disregard or exemption. If you think you may be eligible, complete the relevant forms first on our Council Tax discounts page.
You may get Council Tax Support if you are liable for Council Tax and:
- are claiming state benefits
- are on a low income or self-employed
- are getting Pension Credit
- have savings or assets below £16,000 (this does not include the property you live in)
Make a claim for Council Tax Support
The scheme for 2025/26 remained the same as 2024/25. This included a maximum Band C liability, minimum non‑dependant deductions (with increased deduction rates), and a requirement for working‑age claimants to pay at least 50% of their Council Tax bill (with some protected groups). Pension‑age claims were not affected by these changes.
For working‑age households, the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026/27 remains the same as 2025/26.
For pension‑age Council Tax Support, the government updates the prescribed rules each year to keep schemes in line with changes in the wider benefits system. For 2026/27, this includes uprating items such as non‑dependant deductions, applicable amounts and premiums, and updating certain income/capital disregards.
For people on Universal Credit
Help with paying your Council Tax will still be provided through the council's Council Tax Support Scheme. You can indicate that you want to claim this when you make your claim for Universal Credit or apply using the form on this page.
If you receive Universal Credit and you are working, your Council Tax Support is based on a banded scheme that considers your household and your net earned income:
| Band | Single person | Couple | Family or lone parent (1 child) | Family or lone parent (2 children or more) | Maximum amount | Maximum amount (protected group) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | 50% | 100% |
| 2 | £0.01 to £55 | £0.01 to £55 | £0.01 to £55 | £0.01 to £55 | 50% | 100% |
| 3 | £55.01 to £104.60 | £55.01 to £148.64 | £55.01 to £203.69 | £55.01 to £258.74 | 40% | 85% |
| 4 | £104.61 to £159.65 | £148.65 to £203.69 | £203.70 to £258.74 | £258.75 to £313.79 | 30% | 70% |
| 5 | £159.66 to £214.70 | £203.70 to £258.74 | £258.75 to £313.79 | £313.80 to £368.84 | 20% | 55% |
| 6 | £214.71 and above | £258.75 and above | £313.80 and above | £368.85 and above | 10% | 40% |
When you apply, you may need to provide evidence of your identity, income, savings and other capital.
If you already receive Council Tax Support but are having severe difficulty paying your Council Tax, you can apply for a Council Tax hardship payment.
You can use an independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to.
For more information on Council Tax Support, refer to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (PDF, 634.54 KB) or the Council Tax Reduction Scheme summary (PDF, 195.6 KB).