Council Tax Support 2026 - Income-Based Help With Your Bill

What Is Council Tax Support?

Council Tax Support is a reduction applied directly to your council tax bill based on your income, savings, and household circumstances. Unlike a universal benefit paid in cash, it reduces the amount you owe to your council. If your CTS equals your full council tax liability, you pay nothing.

Since 2013, each English council has run its own working-age CTS scheme. This means the amount you can receive varies significantly depending on where you live. Some councils provide up to 100% of the council tax liability for the lowest-income households; others cap the maximum reduction. Pension-age claimants have stronger protections under a national scheme.

In Scotland, the Council Tax Reduction scheme is nationally defined and generally more generous than most English local schemes. In Wales, councils also run their own schemes, but the Welsh Government provides a framework that ensures minimum standards.

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility depends on your income, savings, and household circumstances. Generally, you may qualify if:

• •You are on a low income from employment, self-employment, or benefits
• •You have savings below the threshold (typically £6,000 for working-age, £16,000 for pension-age)
• •You are liable to pay council tax on your property
• •You are not a full-time student (though some students may qualify in specific circumstances)

Your council's specific eligibility criteria and maximum reduction levels will differ from other councils. Check your local council's website or contact their council tax team to understand exactly what you might receive.

Universal Credit and Council Tax Support

Council Tax Support is separate from Universal Credit. If you receive Universal Credit, you do not automatically receive CTS. You must apply for CTS separately through your local council. This is a commonly missed step that results in households paying full council tax despite qualifying for a reduction.

The DWP (which administers Universal Credit) and your local council share some information but do not automatically trigger CTS applications. When your Universal Credit claim is approved, apply to your council for CTS as soon as possible. Some councils allow backdating; others do not.

Second Adult Rebate

If you share your property with another adult who is not your partner and who is on a low income, you may qualify for a Second Adult Rebate. This reduces your council tax bill based on the second adult's income, even if your own income disqualifies you from the standard CTS scheme.

The maximum Second Adult Rebate is typically 25%. To claim it, the second adult must not be a joint tenant or joint owner, must not be your partner, and must be on a qualifying low income. This scheme is less well known than the main CTS but can provide meaningful savings where it applies.

How to Apply

Apply through your local council. Most have an online application. You will need to provide information about your income (including benefits, employment income, pension), savings, capital, and household members. Applications can take 4 to 8 weeks to process.

Report any change in circumstances (change in income, household composition, savings) promptly. Overpayments of CTS must be repaid; failing to report changes can result in significant debt.