Council Tax Reduction Hardship Scheme
Contents
- Extra help available with Council Tax
- How much extra benefit is available?
- Who qualifies?
- How do customers apply?
- Why don’t households of pensionable age qualify?
- What about households who apply for CTR after 31 March 2025?
- How will I know if I will receive the award?
- How much will the scheme cost the council?
Extra help available with Council Tax
Due to the increase of 9.99% in Council Tax for the 2025-26 financial year, the council is providing extra support to working-aged households who receive Council Tax Reduction (CTR).
This extra support will reduce the impact of the Council Tax increase on those households.
How much extra benefit is available?
Households who qualify will get a one-off award of £30. This means the Council Tax bill for the year will be reduced by an extra £30 on top of the CTR support already received.
Who qualifies?
To qualify for this support, households must be:
- getting Council Tax Reduction (CTR)
- working age
How do customers apply?
There is no need to apply as the £30 discount will be automatically applied to those who qualify and will show on their bill as ‘Council Tax Reduction Hardship Scheme’. An example bill showing this can be seen on the ‘Council Tax bill explained’ page.
Why don’t households of pensionable age qualify?
Those of pension age and in receipt of Council Tax Reduction do not qualify for this scheme. This is because pensioners are subject to the nationally prescribed scheme that offers up to a maximum of 100% support towards their Council Tax Bills.
What about households who apply for CTR after 31 March 2025?
The council will use remaining funding to support new Council Tax Reduction claimants claiming after 1 April 2025 and before 1 April 2026 with a one-off payment of £30 until the funding is exhausted. The Discretionary Hardship Scheme is cash limited and will end when the funding is fully used.
How will I know if I will receive the award?
If a household qualifies, the award will show on their 2025 Council Tax bill. An example bill showing this can be seen on the ‘Council Tax bill explained’ page.
How much will the scheme cost the council?
The council has set aside a budget of £1.2million. This will help all working aged households who already claim CTR, as well as potential new claims for CTR during the 2025-26 financial year.
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