To find out if you are eligible, use this calculator.
The way Council Tax Support is worked out depends on:
- Your age
- Your family circumstances
- The money you have coming in
- Any benefits you get
- Any savings you have; and
- The total of your council tax bill.
The Government decides the rules for people who have reached state pension age. For more information about these rules, please visit the Citizens Advice website.
You can use this calculator to see if you have reached State Pension age.
If you are of working age, the help that you can get from the scheme depends on whether you are in one of the groups which are protected as being vulnerable.
How do I know if I am in a protected group?
You are in a protected group if:
- You (or your partner) have a child under the age of five who lives with you.
- You (or your partner) receive a war disablement pension, war widow’s pension or war widower’s pension.
- You (or your partner) are disabled*
- You (or your partner) have a disabled child who lives with you.
If you are in one of the protected groups, the maximum help you can get will be to reduce your council tax bill to zero.
If you are not in one of the protected groups, the maximum help you can get is to reduce your council tax to one quarter of the amount it would be without support. Also, if your property is in band E or above, your Council Tax Support will be worked out as if you lived in a band D property.
*To be classed as disabled, you must meet one of the following:
- Receive a disability benefit (DLA, PIP, Incapacity Benefit or the disabled element of WTC)
- Receive ESA, including either the support or work-related component;
- Registered blind