Council Tax benefit is a national scheme which the Council administers on behalf of the government. It can provide help with up to 100% of your Council Tax. (But we may reduce it if you have any non-dependants living with you. A non-dependant is someone aged 18 or over who lives with you other than on a commercial basis e.g. an adult son or daughter or an elderly relative.)

The government decides the minimum amount you, and other members of your household, need to meet your basic living requirements. The amount of Council Tax Benefit you are entitled to is worked out by comparing your income and needs will be considered).

The government decides the levels of income and needs we must use in making this calculation. The income figure we have to use is the money you receive after deductions have been made for Income Tax, National Insurance and half of any private pension payments. We don't count some income at all including: earnings of £5.00 per week if you are single, £10.00 per week for a couple, £25.00 per week for a lone parent and all of any Attendance Allowance, War Pension or Disability Living Allowance.

We also have to 'assume' a level of income on any savings you may have, irrespective of how much you actually receive. If you have over £16,000 savings you cannot qualify for any help - unless you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. Your home and possessions do not count as savings.

You can receive Council Tax Benefit even if you already have a 25% or 50% discount. You cannot receive it on a property that is not your main home. The more Council Tax you pay the more likely it is that you will qualify for some help.

If another adult lives with you other than on a commercial basis e.g. an adult son or daughter or an elderly relative (but not your partner) you may be entitled to some help even if you do not qualify yourself. We will only take into account their income and any savings they may have in making a decision.