Apply for Council Tax Support Scheme

Claims are dealt with as quickly as possible but may be held up if any of the proofs asked for on the claim form are missing.

We will write to you if further information is required from you. Failure to provide all the necessary information can delay your claim's processing, and you could lose benefits.

If the claim form is received with all the necessary supporting documentation, assessments will generally be made within 14 days. You will then receive notification of any entitlement and how this will be paid.

The amount you receive will be calculated based on the following:

• The money you and your partner have coming in, for example,
  • Earnings,
  • Some benefits,
  • Tax credits
  • Occupational pensions
• You and your partner's capital, savings and investments. Such as
  • Bank, building society or post accounts,
  • Premium bonds,
  • National Savings Certificates,
  • ISA's, stocks, shares and unit trusts
• Your circumstances, such as
  • Your age,
  • The number of people in your household,
  • The ages of your children
  • Whether you or any of your household are disabled

If you have not claimed Council tax Support before you may need to provide personal identification documents for you and your partner, proof of rent (private tenants only), and proof of income. We also have to check your National Insurance Number.

The number of proofs you will need to supply depends on your circumstances and is fully explained in the claim form.

Proof of Identity

• Passport (which must be current and valid)
• Driving Licence
• Recent Bank Statement
• Recent Utility Bill (paid)
• Letter from a solicitor, social worker, probation officer, doctor, Inland Revenue
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Divorce Papers
• Medical Card
• Proof of Rent

Proof of Income

You may also need to provide original proof of your income and of your capital and savings. Photocopies are not acceptable. All the information you provide is private and confidential. This may include:

• Various benefit books
• Various letters, award notices for example, from DWP which shows us the amount of income you are receiving
• Wage Slips
• Occupational Pension Slip
• P45/P60 current employment year only
• Tax letters or tax code notices
• Bank statements, share certificates

We want to make sure your claim is assessed correctly from the start. It also has to comply with government regulations and guidance, and all evidence asked for on the application form are needed to evaluate your claim. If you do not provide this, your claim cannot be assessed.

Types of Proof If You Have Recently Moved To The UK

If you have been in the UK for less than five years we will need to ask for evidence of your immigration status. This will include your passport, Home Office papers, visa documents, worker registration documents, etc. We will also need proof of your National Insurance Number(s) or evidence that you will be allocated one.

We have to gather additional details about you and your circumstances to ensure you are entitled to claim Council tax Support

People of state pension age over - How To Claim If You Get Pension Credit

The Pension Service pays Pension Credits.

When you claim a Pension Credit, if you do not already get a Council tax Support, you will be asked whether you want to make a claim.

When the Pension Service has assessed your entitlement to Pension Credits, they will tell us about this. With this information, we will determine any entitlement to Council tax Support.

People of state pension age or How To Claim If You Are not on Pension Credit

You may not get a Pension Credit if your income or savings are too high

You should directly claim Council Tax Reduction from us by filling in a claim form. Once you have filled in the form, please return it to us as soon as possible.

Use the link below to report a change in your address if you already claim Council Tax Reduction and have changed the address.

Report a change in your address.

It may be of help to you if we can discuss your claim with a person of your choice, for example, to explain what information we need to complete your claim or if you want someone to represent you on a particular matter. To enable us to do this, please complete the authority to disclose form.

If You Have Savings

You can still claim if you have savings.  

Working-age customers The lower capital limit is £6,000 and the maximum is £16,000. If your savings are under £6,000 it will be disregard. If your savings are over £16,000 you will not be entitled.

For any capital over £6,000 but under £16,000;
We count each £250 (or part of £250) and include £1 as income in the benefit assessment.

If you receive Jobseekers Allowance (Income based), Income Support or Guarantee Pension Credit then all your capital is disregarded. 

Customers of state Retirement age: The lower capital limit is £10,000 and the maximum is £16,000. If your savings are under £10,000 it will be disregard. If your savings are over £16,000 you will not be entitled.

For any capital over £10,000 but under £16,000;
We count every £500 (or part of £500) and count £1 as income in benefit assessment.

If you receive Jobseekers Allowance (Income based), Income Support or Guarantee Pension Credit then all your capital is disregarded. 

If You Have Been Overpaid

A new Council Tax bill will be sent to you which will show what is owed