If you need financial help to pay your Council Tax bill, you may be able to get Council Tax Benefit. You may also get Second Adult Rebate if you share your home with another adult (not your partner or civil partner) who is unable to pay towards the Council Tax.
Who is eligible?
Council Tax Benefit
You may get Council Tax Benefit if you pay Council Tax and your income and capital (savings and investments) are £16,000 or below.
Second Adult Rebate
We work out whether you qualify for Second Adult Rebate at the same time as assessing you for Council Tax Benefit
You may get Second Adult Rebate if the person you share your home with is:
- not your partner or civil partner
- aged 18 or over
- not paying you rent
- not paying Council Tax themselves
- on a low income
You may be able to get Second Adult Rebate even if you don't receive Council Tax Benefit.
If you're either:
- not entitled to Council Tax Benefit
- only entitled to benefit which would cover 25 per cent or less of your Council Tax
Who isn't eligible?
If you have savings of over £16,000 you can't normally get Council Tax Benefit, unless you are aged 60 or over and getting the 'guarantee credit' of Pension Credit.
Your income and savings will not affect Second Adult Rebate. Second Adult Rebate is based on the other person's circumstances.
Most asylum seekers and people sponsored to be in the UK won't get Council Tax Benefit.
How it is paid
Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate reduce your Council Tax bill.
You will get a new bill showing the reduced amount of Council Tax you have to pay.
Effect on other financial help
Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate will not affect other benefits you get.