Council tax discretionary discount

Discretionary discounts to council tax can be made if you can show you need extra help with your council tax, this funding is sometimes referred to as being from the council’s hardship fund.

The extra help could be given because:

your council tax support does not meet your full council tax liability, or
you are affected by the welfare reform changes introduced in April 2013.

To qualify for a discretionary council tax discount:

You must have had a decision for Council Tax Support within the last 3 months.
You must be the person responsible for the council tax.
You must be experiencing financial hardship or exceptional personal circumstances.
You must have taken all reasonable steps to increase the households income and/or reduce outgoings.
You should have claimed all eligible reductions and discounts in you respect of your council tax bill.

The scheme is purely discretionary; there is no statutory right to a reduction in council tax.

Apply for a discretionary discount

Complete the council tax discretionary discount form.

An application for a discount must be made by the person(s) affected. We will look at your application and decide whether:

you should receive help towards your council tax,
how much help you will receive and
for how long the help will be given - this support is not intended to be given for long term or indefinite periods

A successful application does not guarantee that a further award will be made at a later date even if your circumstances have not changed.

Amount of discount

The amount of reduction will depend on your individual circumstances and your need at the time of making the application. Consideration will be given to your financial and personal circumstances.

Any reduction granted will be paid direct to your council tax account to reduce future payments of council tax. You will receive a new council tax bill, and if you pay your council tax bill via installments, your installments will be recalculated.

Right to review

There is a right to a review where there is extra information/different evidence to that supplied in the initial application. If you disagree with our decision, you (or someone else representing you) may request a review. This should be submitted in writing within one calendar month of the original decision. A different officer will look at the original decision and the additional evidence supplied.

For full details view the council tax discretionary discount policy.