Council Tax Support if you do not receive UC

Are you applying for Universal Credit (UC)?

Please ensure you inform the DWP that you want to apply for council tax support (CTS).  Do not submit an application - when the DWP tell us about your UC award, we will assess your eligibility for council tax support.  if you are eligible, we will send you a revised council tax bill.

Are you currently in receipt of Universal Credit (UC)?

Information about how to apply for council tax support.

Eligibility if you are not a UC claimant

You can claim council tax support as long as you are registered and liable to pay council tax.  You can apply if you pay council tax but you're on a low income, or no income at all , and have savings below £16,000.**  You can apply whether you rent or own your home, but you must actually live there, and it must be your only or main place of residence. 

If you have an existing claim and are moving home, complete the change of address form.

**If you or your partner (if you have a partner) are in receipt of Pension Guarantee Credits we accept claims with capital over £16,000.

You will need to know the following for your application:

  1. Council tax account number (if known)
  2. National insurance number for both you and a partner living at the address
  3. Monthly earnings for both you and your partner
  4. Capital, savings and investments for both you and your partne
If you are a non-UK national and not in the EU or EEA, please seek advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau on whether you have recourse to public funds and can apply for benefits.
Complete a new claim form by registering or logging into My Account.

Evidence required to support your application

If you do not have internet access you must not send original documentation as we accept copies only.  If you send original documents we are unable to return these to you.

Living at address

  • provide a utility bill 

Identity 

  • If you have not previously claimed at the same address within the last three years: 1 photo ID such as driving licence/passport 

Earnings for both you and your partner 

  • Payslips to cover the last two months. 

Capital, savings and investments for both you and your partner

  • If you are of working age with capital/ savings more than £6,000 and less than £16,000: last two months bank statements from all accounts held; savings books must be made up to date.
  • If you are of pension age with capital/ savings more than £10,000 and less than £16,000: last two months bank statements from all accounts held; savings books must be made up to date.
  • If you are of pension age and you are in receipt of Pension Guarantee Credits we accept claims with capital over £16,000 and no evidence is required. 

Please contact us for trust funds

Self-employed earnings
If you are self-employed:

In all the above there needs to be clear separation of any expense relating to both home and work.

Evidence of other income (e.g. Student grants/loans)

  • If you are, or your partner is, a student, provide proof of student support and course including term dates and student exemption certificate.
  • Other income - proofs not requested at the first stage of completing the claim form. This may be required when assessing your claim.

Non-dependent income (other people who are over 18 and living at your home, e.g. children 18 and over)

  • If non-dependents are working 16 or more hours a week: payslips to cover the last two months' income. If non-dependents are students - student exemption certificate. 

Childcare costs

  • Childminder registration invoice/agreement 

Statutory Sick Pay 

  • Letter from your employer 

Benefits, pensions, credits and allowances

  • Proofs not required at the first stage of completing the claim form. This may be required when assessing your claim. 

Moving in and out of an address 

Council tax support is awarded from the date you move into your home.  If your tenancy or ownership starts before you move in, you will have to pay full council tax for the days before you move in.

Council tax support will stop from the day you move out of your home.  You will remain liable for full council tax until your tenancy end date or completion date.

Our Chief Executive has made a Direction on Electronic Communications for the benefits and support that we administer. 

Services by A-Z