Council Tax Reduction - when to apply
This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales
If you are not yet liable for the Council Tax
If you are not yet liable for the Council Tax on the property, for example, because you have not yet moved in, you can make your application in advance.
If you think that you are eligible for Council Tax Reduction, you can apply up to 8 weeks in advance. For example, you might think you're eligible if you get certain benefits.
If your circumstances are changing
If you're liable for Council Tax and you know there is going to be a change in your circumstances, for example, your earnings will drop, you can apply for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) in advance. How far in advance depends on your age and the age of anyone else who is liable with you for paying the Council Tax.
If you are applying for Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send information to your local council. Your local council might automatically use this information to check if you can get CTR and you won’t need to make a separate application. You should check with your local council if you have to apply for CTR separately.
If you will reach State Pension age soon
You can apply up to 13 weeks in advance for CTR if no-one will have reached State Pension age on the date that you would like the CTR to start.
You can apply up to 17 weeks in advance if someone liable for Council Tax will have reached State Pension age on the date that you would like the CTR to start.
Find out your State Pension age on GOV.UK.
Backdated Council Tax Reduction
When you apply for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) you can have the reduction backdated by asking for it to be made from a date before your application.
This can happen in certain circumstances - for example, if you can show that you or your partner was already getting one of the relevant benefits or tax credits for CTR eligibility before your application for CTR.
You might want to get help to ask the local council to backdate your CTR if you have to explain why you were eligible for it sooner but didn't apply. You can get advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau.
How long Council Tax Reduction lasts
Your entitlement to Council Tax Reduction can continue without you having to make a new application each year.
Your local council might ask you to confirm that your circumstances have not changed. You should reply to make sure your award is not stopped.