Council Tax Support is a council tax discount. It reduces the amount of council tax you have to pay. The size of the discount you get depends on your income. There is a maximum discount of 75%, unless you qualify as a member of a protected group.
You may be eligible for Council Tax Support if you:
- live in the UK
- pay council tax
- are on a low income
Find out if you can get Council Tax Support
Check whether you could be eligible to claim Council Tax Support or other benefits using entitledto.
How savings, investments and property affect your Council Tax Support
If you have capital (savings, investments and property) over £16,000 you cannot claim Council Tax Support unless you or your partner (or both of you) have reached the qualifying age for State Pension Credit and one of you gets Pension Credit.
If your capital makes you ineligible for Council Tax Support, you might still be able to get a Second Adult Rebate to help with your council tax.
Extra discount for protected groups
You can claim up to 100% discount on your council tax if you belong to a protected group. The size of your discount will depend on your income and situation.
Protected groups are:
- pensioners
- war widows and war pensioners, who must be in receipt of a War Widow's Pension, War Disablement Pension or Armed Forces Compensation Payment
If you or your partner are in one of the following categories you will be in a protected group until you claim Universal Credit:
- disabled people entitled to an Enhanced or Severe Disability Premium
- lone parents responsible for one or more dependent children under five; they must not have a partner living with them
- carers eligible for Carer’s Allowance
In exceptional circumstances, you may be eligible for additional Discretionary Support up to 100% of your Council Tax liability if:
- you were entitled to protected status in your Council Tax Support award before transferring to Universal Credit
- your Council Tax Support award has reduced by an amount equal to at least 25% of the award immediately before you transferred to Universal Credit
- you have an overall loss of income following your transfer to Universal Credit that is equal to or more than your loss in Council Tax Support
- you can demonstrate financial hardship
You can request a form to claim this Discretionary Support by emailing LCC.benefits@leeds.gov.uk with the subject heading, “Request for Discretionary Council Tax Support”.
If you claim Universal Credit
But there are some restrictions, including:
- a maximum of 75% discount, even if you’re part of a protected group (unless you also receive a war pension or an armed services compensation payment, in which case it is a maximum of 100%)
- you will not be eligible for the Second Adult Rebate
Discounts for pensioners living with another adult
If you’re a pensioner sharing your home with someone who isn't your partner, and they can't help pay rent or council tax, you can apply for a Second Adult Rebate.
To qualify for a Second Adult Rebate, the person who shares your home must be:
- aged 18 or over
- not paying you rent
- not paying council tax themselves
- on a low income
- not a joint tenant or joint owner
The person responsible for paying council tax must make the claim. The claim will be assessed based on the income of the second adult.
Changes to our scheme
