Answers · UK 2025/26

Can I get council tax reduction on a low income?

Yes. Council Tax Reduction, also called Council Tax Support, is a means-tested scheme that can cut your bill if you are on a low income or claim benefits. The amount depends on your income, savings, household and your local council scheme, and in some cases can reduce the bill to nothing.

Last updated: 7 June 2026Last reviewed: 7 June 2026How we verify

Full answer

Council Tax Reduction, sometimes called Council Tax Support, is help with your council tax bill for people on low incomes, whether you are working, unemployed, retired or claiming benefits such as Universal Credit. It is separate from the 25% single person discount and the rules for disregarded people, and you can sometimes receive more than one type of help. Unlike most benefits, Council Tax Reduction is run locally, so each council in England designs its own scheme, and the level of support and the rules vary from area to area. In Scotland and Wales the schemes are more standardised. How much you get depends on your income, your savings and capital, who else lives with you, and whether anyone in the home has a disability. Some councils can reduce a bill to zero for the lowest-income households, while others cap support at a percentage of the bill so that everyone pays something. Pension-age claimants are generally treated more generously under a nationally set framework. You usually apply directly to your local council, and you can often claim Council Tax Reduction at the same time as Universal Credit. If your circumstances change, such as your income rising or someone moving in, you must tell the council because it affects your entitlement. It is worth applying even if you are unsure, because many people who are eligible never claim. You can also ask about discretionary hardship funds if you are struggling to pay. Use a council tax calculator to find your full bill for your band, then contact your council to see how much reduction you could receive.