Council Tax Support schemes provide help for people on low incomes with their Council Tax bill. The schemes apply differently in different parts of Great Britain, and in England they apply differently in different councils.

You might be able to get a Council Tax Discount as well as Council Tax Support.

Applies to: England, Scotland and Wales

There is no Council Tax in Northern Ireland but you might get help with your rates by claiming Housing Benefit, see our Housing Benefit (Northern Ireland) guide.

Type of benefit: Means-tested

Administered by: Local authorities

In England each local authority has their own Council Tax support scheme so there may be different support available in different parts of the country.

Local authorities must make sure that people who have reached pension age get the same level of entitlement under the new scheme as they did under Council Tax Benefit rules so they are protected from any reductions.

Local authorities will not be able to change their Council Tax support scheme during a Council Tax billing year. However, they will be able to make changes to their scheme for the start of each new billing year if they wish.

To find out what Council Tax Support scheme exists in your area you should contact your local authority. You can use the GOV.UK local council finder to find your local authority’s contact details.

You can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out how much Council Tax Support you may be entitled to.

Challenging Decisions

If you are not happy with your Council Tax Support decision you can ask your local authority to review it. If you are not happy with the outcome of the review, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal for England.

Further information on Challenges and complaints

The Scottish Government set up a national Council Tax Reduction scheme so all local authorities in Scotland offer the same reductions and administer the scheme in their areas.

To find out more about the Council Tax Reduction scheme you should contact your local authority. You can find details of your local authority on the Scottish Government website.

You can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out how much Council Tax Support you may be entitled to.

Challenging Decisions

If you are not happy with your Council Tax Support decision you can ask your local council to review it within two months. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the review, you can request a further review to be heard by the Local Taxation Chamber. 

Further information on Challenges and complaints

The Welsh Government set up a national Council Tax Reduction scheme so all local authorities in Wales offer the same reductions and administer the scheme in their areas.

To find out more about the Council Tax Reduction scheme you should contact your local authority.

Use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to find out how much Council Tax Support you may be entitled to.

Challenging Decisions

If you are not happy with your council tax support decision you can ask your local authority to review it. If you are not happy with the outcome of the review, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal for Wales.

Further information on Challenges and complaints