Claim Council Tax Reduction- NOW!

Are you on means-tested benefits or a low income and worried about your Council Tax Bill for 2025-2026?

If so, you may be entitled to a council tax reduction for your home – and claim it if you are.

Council Tax bills fall due on 1 April 2025 and every council has a scheme from 31^st January 2025 to help people with their bills in the year ahead.

Aged 60 or over

Council Tax Reduction Scheme  help is available for people who are aged 60 on benefits or low income or over with less than £16,000 in savings who receive 100% reduction if living alone. If you have other people in the household this may affect the amount, but you should still claim to see if you qualify for some reduction.

Aged under 60

People under 60 may also qualify for assistance under the scheme. 

If you receive Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based), Employment and Support Allowance (income-related), Income Support, Pension Credit Guarantee, or your only income is Universal Credit, and have no other people living with you, you will be entitled to 100 per cent reduction.

If you have other people living with you, such as a working son or daughter, or your income is higher, then you will usually get less than the maximum reduction but may still qualify for some reduction.  You will need to tell the Council about these people who may include: a partner, dependent children, grown up children, lodgers, flat sharers, sub-tenants and friends.

If you receive Universal Credit and you are working, your Council Tax Reduction will be calculated with a banded income scheme. 

Details of how to apply

Details are on your council tax bill or on the Council website. If you qualify for a reduction, it will normally be awarded from the week after your claim is received.

Benefit can be backdated if you would have been entitled to it earlier and can give the Council a good reason for not claiming it earlier.

‍

See:  Claim Council Tax Reduction
The full details are published in the Council Tax Reduction scheme for Kensington and Chelsea and a right of appeal exists in certain cases.

You could also be eligible for another £50 "bonus" payment this year if you are:
‍- resident in Kensington and Chelsea or placed in a household outside the borough by the Council’s Housing team.
- receiving at least one of the following benefits:

• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Reduction
• Universal Credit Housing Allowance 
  

‍