The council is now responsible for its own council tax support scheme.

The scheme is limited to a Band A property, so if you live in a higher band you will only receive support up to the equivalent of a Band A property in your local area: Check your council tax band

Recent changes to the scheme

• If you currently receive full benefit, you will only need to pay 8.5% of your council tax bill if you live in a higher banded property (i.e. band B-H)
• If you (or your partner) start work after being on full benefits you will be protected against the band A restriction. So if you live in a band B-H property, your claim will be assessed based on 91.5% of your actual band for the remainder of the year
• The existing 25% single person’s discount will still apply
• These changes do not affect pensioners

How much can I claim?

You can download the in-depth guide that we use to calculate council tax support.

Examples:

If you receive Income Support, Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance, or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance: 

• Living in a Band A = 100% of liability used in calculation (nothing to pay)
  Example: Charged £10 per week council tax, awarded £10 per week CTS

• Living in Band B – H = 91.5% of liability used in calculation (8.5% to pay)
  Example: Charged £20 per week council tax, awarded £18.30 per week CTS  

If you are putting in a standard claim:

• Living in Band A = 100% of liability used in calculation
  Example: Charged £10 per week council tax, awarded £5 per week CTS based on the income and capital of your household.

• Living in Band B – H = 100% of a Band A liability used in calculation
  Example: Charged £20 per week council tax, awarded £5 per week CTS based on the same income and capital of your household in the example above  

If you or your partner starts work:

• Living in Band A = 100% of liability used in calculation
  Example: Charged £10 per week council tax, awarded £5.20 CTS per week based on the income and capital of your household

• Living in Band B – H = 91.5% of liability used in calculation for remainder of financial year
  Example: Charged £20 per week council tax, awarded £13.50 CTS per week based on the same income and capital of your household in the example above.