Council Tax Support

On this page
What is Council Tax Support?
Who can apply for Council Tax Support
Applying for Council Tax Support
Appealing a decision
Extra help with your Council Tax
Council Tax fraud
Contact us

What is Council Tax Support?

Council Tax Support, also known as Council Tax Reduction, helps reduce Council Tax bills for people on a low income or receiving benefits.

Who can apply for Council Tax Support?

You can apply for Council Tax Support if you: 

  • are on a low income, even if you are working
  • do not have more than £16,000 in savings (unless you are receiving Pension Credit Guarantee) 
  • are a person responsible for paying Council Tax 

You can still apply for Council Tax Support even if you are in the process of applying for Universal Credit.

Applying for Council Tax Support

If you believe you are eligible for help towards your Council Tax, you can apply online. If you are not sure whether you are entitled, you can use the application form to check.

Before you start

Please note, the system will ask you to log in or register for a benefits account before starting.

To apply online you will need:

  • your National Insurance number
  • details of your income, including Job Seekers allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or Universal credit
  • details of any Child Benefit awarded
  • details of your savings
Apply for Council Tax Support

Appealing a decision

Tell us immediately if you think:

  • the application has been wrongly refused
  • your Council Tax Support should have started from a different date
  • the income or savings used is wrong
  • your Council Tax Support shouldn’t have ended or has ended on the wrong date
  • anything else is wrong

You cannot appeal just because you think your Council Tax bill is too expensive.

How to appeal

You can appeal by email or in writing. The appeal must clearly state which decision you are appealing and the reasons why. The benefits team will review your appeal and decide that the decision is either:

  • incorrect – we will send you new letters and a bill
  • correct – we will explain why in writing

Appeals can take up to two months to be processed. You must continue to pay your regular Council Tax bill until a new one arrives.

Appeal by email: benefits@reading.gov.uk
Appeal in writing: PO Box 26, Civic Offices, Reading, RG1 2LU

If you still disagree with the council’s decision

If you think the decision is still wrong, or you do not hear back within 2 months, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. You must appeal within:

  • two months of the council telling you its decision
  • four months of you first appealing to the council (if you have not had a response)

You may be able to submit a late appeal if you cannot apply in time because of circumstances beyond your control. If the tribunal agrees with you, the council will update your bill and adjust your monthly payments.

Changes in circumstances

If you receive Council Tax Support, you must tell the benefits team if there are any changes to your circumstances. If you don’t tell us about a change, we might not pay you enough, or we might pay you too much.

Find out if you need to report a change

Extra help with your Council Tax

Discretionary Council Tax Support is available for people who are already receiving Council Tax Support but need extra help with their Council Tax. Payments are usually a short term help for those going through difficult times. We have a limited fund to help people who need it the most.

View the full Discretionary Council Tax Support Payment Policy 2024-25

Apply for Discretionary Council Tax Support

Council Tax fraud

Council Tax fraud is dealt with by the benefits team at Reading Borough Council. 
Examples of fraud include failing to declare:  

  • income from earnings and other benefits
  • a partner or other adult is living in the property
  • money held in bank accounts, savings or investments
  • a move to another address

Reporting Council Tax fraud

You can report suspected Council Tax fraud using our online form. Reports can be made anonymously – we hold any information you give in the strictest confidence.  

To help us investigate your suspicions, you will need to provide as much of the following information as possible: 

  • name and detailed description of the person or people you are reporting 
  • details of the type of fraud they are committing 
  • how long it has been happening and where it has taken place 
  • any other relevant details – where they work or their vehicle details for example 

Report Council Tax fraud

Contact us

If you don’t have access to online services, you can contact the benefits team:

Last updated on 24/12/2024