Skip to content
Money GuideAll guides
Eligibility · Council Tax Reduction

Am I eligible for Council Tax Reduction?

In short. If you're on a low income or claim benefits, you may get up to 100% off your Council Tax through your council's Council Tax Reduction scheme. Each English council sets its own rules; Wales, Scotland and NI run nationwide schemes.

Council Tax Reduction (CTR), sometimes called Council Tax Support, replaced Council Tax Benefit in 2013. In England, each local council sets its own scheme — they vary widely, but pensioners are protected by a national framework.

Last reviewed:

·Amount: Up to 100% off your Council Tax bill; varies by council and household income

You likely qualify if…

  • You're liable for Council Tax
  • You're on a low income or claim qualifying benefits (varies by council)
  • Pensioners qualify for a national 100%-of-eligibility scheme
  • Working-age in England varies by council — some require everyone to pay at least 10–20%

You likely don't if…

  • You have savings or capital over the local council's limit (commonly £6,000–£16,000)
  • Most non-pensioner students (with limited exceptions)
  • Most second-home owners

How to check and claim

  1. 01The local council can be found via gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction
  2. 02Council Tax Reduction is applied for directly through the local council's own website at no charge
  3. 03Separate Council Tax reductions also exist for single occupiers (25%), disabled adaptations and severe mental impairment

FAQ

Is Council Tax Reduction the same as Council Tax Support?
Yes — different councils use different names but they mean the same scheme.
What if my circumstances change?
Tell your council within 21 days. Backdated awards are possible but limited (often 1 month for working-age; up to 3 months for pensioners).
Can I get Council Tax Reduction and Universal Credit?
Yes. UC doesn't include Council Tax — you claim CTR separately from your council.
← All eligibility guides