There are many ways of reducing your Council Tax. You can apply for benefit, discount, exemption or disabled relief.
If you, or someone who lives with you is disabled and needs a room to meet their special needs or need to use a wheelchair in the property, you may be entitled to a reduction in your Council Tax (See FAQ below).
If you live on your own, and you are over 18 years old, you may be entitled to claim a discount of 25%. This is commonly known as single person discount.
If you do not live on your own but live with someone who is one of the following, you may still get a discount:
- a full time student, student nurse, apprentice or youth training trainee;
- an 18 or 19 year old who is at school or college or has just left;
- a patient in hospital;
- being looked after in a care home;
- staying in certain hostels or night shelters;
- a Care Worker earning low pay, usually working for a Charity;
- caring for someone with a disability who is not their husband or wife, partner or a child under 18 years old;
- a member of a visiting force or certain international institutions;
- a foreign diplomat;
- a member of a religious community (monks and nuns);
- a person in detention;
- severely mentally impaired.
If you are a student, you will need to get a certificate from your university or college.
Half the Council Tax you pay is for your property and half is for the people who live in it. You can apply for a discount of 50% if one of the following applies:
- the property is no-one's only or main home;
- the property is a second home;
- the property is empty (this only applies if the property is not already exempt);
- all people over 18 years old are not counted.
While you are waiting for a decision on your claim for a discount, you should carry on paying your Council Tax instalments.
You must tell us about any changes which may affect your discount within 21 days so that we can review the amount awarded. If you do not tell us, you may incur a penalty
You can use this link to download our application form, or find it in the pink box below. Alternatively contact our Customer First Centre on 01253 478847 and they will be happy to send an application form to you. You can also get more information from our leaflet "Should I get a discount?".
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