Disabled Band Reduction Scheme 2026 - One Full Band Down
The Disabled Band Reduction Scheme (DBRS) reduces your council tax bill by one full band if your home has been adapted to meet the needs of a permanently disabled resident. This is separate from Council Tax Support (which is income-based) and from the single-person discount. Updated April 2026.
What the Disabled Band Reduction Does
If your home qualifies, your council tax bill is calculated as if your property were in the band below your actual band. So a Band D property is charged at Band C rates, a Band C at Band B rates, and so on. For a Band A property (which cannot go lower), the reduction is equivalent to one-ninth of the Band D rate.
| Actual band | Charged at | Saving (at £2,392 Band D) |
|---|---|---|
| Band B | Band A rate | ~£265/year |
| Band C | Band B rate | ~£266/year |
| Band D | Band C rate | ~£266/year |
| Band E | Band D rate | ~£532/year |
| Band F | Band E rate | ~£531/year |
| Band G | Band F rate | ~£532/year |
| Band H | Band G rate | ~£797/year |
| Band A | Band A - 1/9 of Band D | ~£266/year |
Savings calculated at England average Band D 2026/27 of £2,392. Actual savings depend on your council's Band D rate.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme, two conditions must be met:
A permanently and substantially disabled person lives in the property
The disability must be permanent and substantial. This includes physical disabilities and some mental health conditions where they substantially limit daily activity. It does not need to be the bill payer; a disabled child in the household qualifies.
The property has specific features required by the disabled person
The property must have at least one of: a room (other than a bathroom, kitchen, or lavatory) used predominantly and substantially for meeting the needs of the disabled person; a second bathroom or kitchen adapted or required by the disabled person; or additional floor space required for use of a wheelchair indoors.
The scheme is not means-tested: your income is irrelevant. What matters is the disability and the property features. This is a key distinction from Council Tax Support, which is income-based.
How to Apply
Apply through your local council. You will need to provide details of the disability and the property features. A council officer may visit to verify the property adaptations. Applications are typically assessed within 4 to 8 weeks.
If successful, the reduction can usually be backdated to the date the qualifying condition was first met (i.e. when the disabled person moved in, or when the relevant adaptation was installed), subject to council discretion. Some councils will backdate up to 6 years under the Limitation Act.
Updated April 2026. Disabled Band Reduction Scheme: Council Tax (Reductions for Disabilities) Regulations 1992.