We can provide short-term financial support to households who are unable to pay their Council Tax bill.

We can help if, for example:

• there is a shortfall in your Council Tax Reduction award
• you have been affected by an unforeseen event, other than the rising cost of living, that has impacted your finances, such as:
  • replacing items after a disaster such as a fire or flood – we might need to see evidence of the event and your expenditure
  • paying debts after losing income
  • an unexpected large bill such as car maintenance where the vehicle is essential for work or to support someone with a disability

If we award you a reduction, it will last at most until the end of the current financial year on 31 March. The reduction is to give you time to change your circumstances, which could include:

• finding alternative cheaper accommodation
• finding work
• budgeting towards paying more rent or Council Tax
• reducing your expenditure

Check our financial advice and cost of living support to find help to reduce costs and manage your budget.

This discretionary power to reduce Council Tax bills is granted by Section 13A (1) (c) of The Local Government Finance Act 1992. We must pay for any discounts we award from our own resources, so they must meet the underlying principle of offering value for money for taxpayers.

Apply

Contact us at benefits@cambridge.gov.uk to request discretionary Council Tax Reduction.

We will send you an income and expenditure form to complete. We will also need to see relevant documentary evidence of financial hardship to justify any reduction – you must:

• provide bank statements and pay slips
• explain and provide evidence of your exceptional personal circumstances and how they impact on your financial ability to pay your Council Tax bill

Financial assessment

After receiving your application, we will conduct a comprehensive financial assessment when considering whether to make a discretionary award.

We will consider:

• the income and capital available to your household
• any resources which we believe you or your partner could reasonably obtain, such as applying for benefits or seeking employment
• any available assets, including any property that is not your main residence

We will then deduct:

• essential expenditure on basic necessities such as food, clothing and utilities for the average household
• unavoidable expenditure that you are required to meet by law or contract, and which you have taken reasonable measures to reduce, avoid or terminate

If you have capital over £3,000 after any outstanding debts and fines are paid, we will not award you a discretionary reduction.

We will not include disability benefit income such as Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Disability expenses that exceed your disability income might be considered as an additional reasonable expense.

Reconsideration and appeal

If you do not agree with our decision, you can ask us to reconsider within one month.

You must give reasons why you think the decision is incorrect, and you can submit additional evidence.

A senior officer will reconsider your application.

After or instead of reconsideration, you can submit an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.