Council Tax Support is a scheme to help some people pay their Council Tax. The amount of support you can get will depend on your income and your personal circumstances and is only available to people resident in the UK.
All working age customers will have to pay at least 20% of their council tax, as Council Tax Support will be limited to a maximum 80% of the council tax bill
The council tax band used to calculate Council Tax Support will be capped at Band C. This means someone who lives in a property that is council tax Band D or above will have their Council Tax Support calculated as if they lived at Band C property. 86.6% of properties in Portsmouth are Band C or below
The minimum council tax support award will be £2 per week – if someone’s Council Tax Support is calculated below this amount, it will be withdrawn altogether and they will need to pay their full council tax liability
There is a capital limit of £6,000 – this means people who have more than £6,000 in savings or capital will not receive Council Tax Support.
A Council Tax Support hardship fund is available and you can apply using the application form in the documents section below.
The fund is only for people who meet the criteria for Council Tax Support. It doesn’t apply if you don’t receive help due to having more than £6,000 in savings or capital, or your Council Tax Support is calculated below the minimum £2. However, if you are experiencing difficulties please get in touch to discuss payment.
Details of revised Council Tax Support and the amount of Council Tax to be paid will be sent by letter in March.
Please make sure your Council Tax Support award is correct and let us know if there are any changes to your circumstances, otherwise you could face a penalty.
Council Tax Support Fund
It was announced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLHC) on the 23 December 2022, that the government would be making additional funding available for local authorities to support the most vulnerable households in England with their council tax payments.
The government expects local authorities to use the majority of their funding to reduce council tax bills for
current working age and pension age Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) claimants by up to £25.
Please be advised that the scheme is currently in development and further updates will follow once the scheme has been approved. In the meantime, government guidance in relation to the Council Tax Support Fund can be found on the governments website.
The sooner you tell us that you intend to apply for Council Tax Support, the faster we can start your claim.
Contact us via e-mail at hbsupportteam@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or phone us on 023 9283 4556. Delays in making your claim can result in a loss of Council Tax Support.
To claim Council Tax Support, please complete our online application form.
The amount of help you will receive depends on how much money you have coming in, your personal circumstances, your savings and the amount of Council Tax you have to pay. If you have a partner, your combined income and savings will be looked at to see what help you and your partner can receive.
If you are working age, Council Tax Support will be based on up to 80% of your full Council Tax charge, not including any excess income and non-dependant deduction. This means you will have to pay at least 20% of your Council Tax charge.
If you are classed as a pensioner, Council Tax Support will be based on a maximum of your full Council Tax charge, not including any excess income and non-dependant deduction.
If awarded, Council Tax Support is paid directly to your Council Tax account.
While you receive Council Tax Support you are responsible for immediately informing us, in writing, of any changes to your circumstances that might affect the amount of Council Tax Support you are awarded, such as:
Any excess Council Tax Support will be debited from your Council Tax account.
You can report a change in circumstances using our online form.
A change of address relating to your council tax support can be reported using our online form.
You may be able to claim second adult rebate if you have to pay Council Tax and you live with someone else, other than your partner or dependant child. The other person must be 18 or over, not responsible for paying Council Tax, not paying rent, and have a weekly income below £252.50 – they cannot be ‘disregarded’ when we work out whether you can get a Council Tax discount.
To claim second adult rebate, you have to give information about the income of the adult, or adults, living with you. Your own income and capital are not taken into account for second adult rebate. While you receive second adult rebate you must tell us immediately, in writing, if a partner or spouse moves in with you, or if the adult (or adults) you are claiming for changes income or moves out.
Further information can be found in the Council Tax Support scheme summary document below.
