Council Tax Reduction estimator
A rough guide to how much could come off your Council Tax bill, based on your income and household. Your council sets the real scheme, so use this to see if it is worth applying.
How this estimate works
The model compares your income against a living-cost allowance for your household. If your income is at or below that allowance, it assumes close to the maximum help your scheme allows. Above it, the reduction tapers away by about 20p for every extra £1 of weekly income. Working-age schemes are shown with a cap on the maximum help, because many councils no longer cover the full bill.
The pension-age scheme is different. It follows national rules, can cover up to the whole bill, and is far more consistent between councils. If you are over State Pension age, the estimate here is closer to what you will actually get. For working-age households, the real figure depends entirely on your council, which is why the notice at the top matters.
Worked example
A single working-age person with one child, a £1,800 bill and £1,200 a month income comes out with a rough reduction of about £539 a year on this model, leaving a bill near £1,261. Your council might be more or less generous, and some use fixed income bands instead of a taper, so apply to see the true amount.
Common questions
How accurate is this estimate?
Treat it as a guide, not a decision. Since 2013 each council in England runs its own working-age Council Tax Reduction scheme, so more than 300 different sets of rules exist. This tool uses a reasonable generic model, but only your council can tell you the real figure. The pension-age scheme is national and more predictable.
Who can get Council Tax Reduction?
People on a low income, whether working, unemployed or retired, and whether or not they claim other benefits. It is separate from the single person discount and from disability reductions, and you can sometimes get more than one type of help on the same bill.
What is the difference between working-age and pension-age?
Pension-age reduction follows one national scheme, so estimates are fairly reliable and can cover up to 100% of the bill. Working-age reduction is set by each council, and many cap the maximum help at less than 100% or use income bands, so results vary widely by area.
Does claiming Universal Credit get me this automatically?
No. Council Tax Reduction is run by your local council, not the DWP, so it is a separate claim even if you already get Universal Credit. Apply through your council as soon as you can, because it is often only backdated a short time.
How do I apply?
Use the gov.uk apply-for-council-tax-reduction service, which sends you to your local council. Have your income details, the number of people in your home and your council tax band ready. If you are in financial difficulty now, ask the council about a Section 13A discretionary reduction as well.