How we work out Council Tax Support

Your "living allowance" is the maximum amount of weekly income you can receive before it starts to affect your Council Tax Support. We compare this figure against your income and capital to work out how much Council Tax Support you receive.

Your living allowance depends on:

• your age
• size of your family
• any special needs you have (such as a disability).

It has three main parts:

1. Personal allowance: an amount for you and your partner
2. Children's personal allowance: an amount for dependent children
3. Premium: to cover any special needs you may have.

For every pound over your living allowance, you lose 20p from your Council Tax reduction.

Non-dependant deductions

We will deduct £5 per week for each non-dependant living with you. A non-dependant could be an adult son or daughter, friend or relative. Joint tenants, sub-tenants or lodgers are not non-dependants.

This deduction doesn't apply if:

• You (or your partner) receive Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance care element
• You (or your partner) are registered blind
• Non-dependant is under 18 years of age
• Non-dependant is aged 18-24 and receives Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance (income related) or Employment and Support Allowance (assessment phase)
• Non-dependant receives Pension Credit