Can I get help paying Council Tax on a low income?

For people on a low income or claiming benefits.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Yes, you may get Council Tax Reduction (sometimes called Council Tax Support) if you're on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be cut by up to 100%.

Apply to your local council.
You can apply whether you own, rent, work or are unemployed.
Each council runs its own scheme, so amounts vary.
Northern Ireland has a different scheme.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Up to 100% off
Apply to your council
Schemes vary by council

What Council Tax Reduction is

Council Tax Reduction is help from your council to pay your Council Tax if you have a low income or get benefits. It used to be called Council Tax Benefit. It can cut your bill by up to 100%, so some people pay nothing.

It is not a cash payment. Your council lowers your bill instead.

Who it is for

You could get it if you are on a low income or claim benefits. It does not matter if you:

own your home or rent it
are in work or out of work

What decides how much you get

Each council runs its own scheme, so the help varies from place to place. Your council looks at:

Thing it looks at	Examples
Your money	Income, savings and pensions, including your partner's
Your household	Whether children live with you, and other adults in your home
Your benefits	Which benefits you and your partner get
Where you live	Your council's own scheme rules

How to apply

Find your local council on GOV.UK by entering your postcode.
Apply on your council's website or contact them. Each council has its own form.
Give details of your income, savings, benefits and who lives with you.
Your council works out whether you qualify and how much your bill is reduced.

Other help with your bill

Council Tax Reduction is separate from discounts. You can get more than one kind of help.

Living alone: 25% off if you are the only adult who counts in your home.
Everyone disregarded: 50% off if everyone in the home is "disregarded", meaning they are not counted. Examples include full-time students and live-in carers.

Discounts are not automatic. You must apply to your council.

If you are struggling to pay

Contact your council straight away. They may spread your bill over 12 months instead of 10. If you miss payments, the council can ask you to pay the whole year's bill at once and take you to court, so act early. Citizens Advice can help for free.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Scotland: Council Tax Reduction is a means-tested scheme set by the Scottish Government. Your council looks at your household income, savings, children, disability and benefits. Ask your council if you are eligible.
Wales: apply to your local council in the same way.
Northern Ireland: there is no Council Tax. You pay domestic rates, and help comes through Housing Benefit for rates, Rate Relief or, if you get Universal Credit, Rate Rebate.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Apply for Council Tax Reduction (GOV.UK)
Council Tax: who has to pay and discounts (GOV.UK)
Council Tax: paying your bill (GOV.UK)
Council Tax arrears (GOV.UK)
Council Tax discounts, exemptions and reductions in Scotland (mygov.scot)
Help paying your rates (nidirect)

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply to your council

Common questions

What affects how much I get?

Where you live, your income (including savings, pensions and your partner's income), and who lives with you.

Source: Apply for Council Tax Reduction

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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