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We're asking for your views on proposed changes to Council Tax Support to help make sure people are getting the right level of help. Find out more and have your say.
What is Council Tax Support?
Council Tax Support is a discount to help you pay for council tax if you are unemployed or on a low income.
You can apply for Council Tax Support whether you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working.
You may get Council Tax Support if you:
live at the property
pay council tax; and
have a low income or are entitled to a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions or the Pension Service.
You should apply as soon as you think you may be entitled to help. It is important that your application form is handed in as soon as possible.
We aim to pay your award within 14 days of getting all the information we need to work out the amount you can receive. However, applications are often delayed because we are waiting for information.
We can normally only pay your award from the Monday following the date we receive your application.
If you are entitled, we will send you a revised council tax bill reduced by your Council Tax Support award.
Much of the evidence and information needed for your claim can be checked through other sources, for example HMRC and DWP. However, we may need you to provide further evidence to help us complete your claim faster.
Scenario
Evidence you must provide
You or your partner have not claimed housing benefit or Council Tax Support with us before
Proof of your identity and National Insurance Number
You or your partner pay into a salary sacrifice scheme from your wages or receive a bonus
Your two most recent wage slips and confirmation in writing explaining what the scheme is for or how frequently you receive the bonus
Complete and return a student form and provide evidence of their student finance
If you can’t get all the proof needed to send with the claim form, send the form to us anyway and include a covering letter explaining that you will send further information later.
We will normally give you one calendar month to send in everything we need. We may be able to give you longer if there is a good reason why you can’t give us the information in that time.
If your circumstances change
You need to tell us straight away if something changes, including if you move, if you start work, increase your hours or your earnings.
Changes may not affect the amount of Council Tax Support you get, but you still need to let us know.
