Council tax reduction
If you are on a low income, council tax reduction could help you pay your council tax bill.
You will need to provide evidence to support your application.
Who can apply
You can apply for council tax reduction if:
- you are responsible for paying the council tax for the property you live in
- you and any partner are on a low income (you could be in work, self-employed, receiving a pension or receiving benefits)
Amount of reduction
There are different rules about how much reduction you could receive depending on whether you are working age or state pension age.
Our local council tax reduction scheme is changing from 1 April 2025 as agreed through the budget consultation process. This only affects you if you are working age.
If you are state pension age you are not affected by the changes and your entitlement continues to be assessed in the same way it always has been.
Key points about the updated council tax reduction scheme if you are working age:
Working age applicants
You could receive a reduction of up to 77% of your council tax bill. The amount will depend on your household earned income.
The list below shows the maximum reduction that can be applied based on your weekly household earned income.
No earned income – 77%
1p to £50 – 60%
£50.01 to £100 – 40%
£100.01 to £140 – 20%
£140.01 to £190 – 15%
£190.01 to £230 – 10%
£230.01 and over – no reduction
State pension age applicants
If you have reached state pension age, you could receive a reduction of up to 100% off your council tax bill.
The amount you receive will depend on your household circumstances and income.
If you have savings of £16,000 or more you will not be eligible for council tax reduction unless you are receiving Guarantee Credit (part of Pension Credit).
If you are receiving Guarantee Credit, you will be entitled to the maximum council tax reduction of 100%. This could be reduced if you have other adults who live with you, not including your partner.
You can find out more about GOV.UK’s Pension Credit.
Apply for council tax reduction
You can apply online for council tax reduction with a South Gloucestershire Council account. Use the button below to sign in or set one up.
You will need to provide evidence to support your application.
This service is unavailable between 9.30pm and 3am daily.
If you are unable to complete the form through your online account, you can download and complete a PDF version of the form. This is best filled out on a laptop or computer. You can access computers for free at your local library.
If you need help completing your form or would like a paper copy call us on 01454 868002 or visit one of our One Stop Shops.
Ways to return your form and supporting documents to us:
- by email to housingbenefit@southglos.gov.uk
- in person at one of our One Stop Shops
- by post to the address shown
Please do not send original documents such as passports in the post. If further evidence is needed we will contact you.
Privacy notice
Find out how we collect, use and share your data in our privacy notice for housing benefit, discretionary housing payments and council tax reduction.
Sometimes we need information about other people who live in the same household as you so we can work out how much you will be eligible for.