The full picture
Council Tax Reduction (sometimes called Council Tax Support) cuts your bill if you are on a low income or claiming a means-tested benefit like Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-based ESA or income-based JSA.
In England each council sets its own scheme — some give working-age claimants up to 100% off, others impose a minimum payment of around 20%. Pension-age claimants follow a national scheme that mirrors the old Council Tax Benefit and can reduce the bill to nil.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the schemes are run nationally and tend to be more generous than the average English council. Northern Ireland calls it Rate Rebate (or Rate Relief if you receive Universal Credit) because it has Rates rather than Council Tax.
What you'll need to apply: - Last 3 months of payslips or benefit award letters - Bank statements showing savings - Details of anyone else living with you (their income may be counted as a non-dependant deduction)
Council Tax Reduction stacks with other discounts. Check whether you qualify for any of these first — they reduce the bill before CTR is calculated: - Single Person Discount (25% off if you live alone) - Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) Disregard (taken out of the household count entirely) - Disability Reduction (one band lower if the home has been adapted)