I am already on Universal Credit — why was I not told about council tax reduction?

UC and council tax are handled by different organisations, so you may not have been told. Contact your council or visit Citizens Advice at citizensadvice.org.uk for help applying and to check if you can get your claim backdated.

Does council tax reduction apply in Scotland and Wales too?

Yes, but each nation runs its own scheme with its own rules. Contact your local council to find out what you can get where you live.

How to cut your council tax bill if you are on Universal Credit

Universal Credit helps with your rent and your living costs. But it does not cover your council tax. If you pay council tax and no one told you this, you may be paying more than you need to.

Council tax reduction is a separate benefit

Council tax reduction (also called council tax support) is run by your local council, not by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Universal Credit cannot reduce your council tax bill. You have to apply to your council directly.

The good news is that if your income is low, your bill could be reduced by up to 100%. That means some people pay nothing at all.

Who can apply

You do not have to be on Universal Credit to apply. Anyone on a low income can ask their council for a reduction — whether you are working, unemployed, or claiming other benefits. Your council will look at:

the money you have coming in each week
your savings and any capital you hold
who lives in your home
any disabilities or caring responsibilities in your household

How to apply

Go to your council's website and search for "council tax reduction" or "council tax support". Most councils let you apply online in under 15 minutes. You will need:

your National Insurance number
details of your income, including your Universal Credit award
details of any savings

Your council will then work out your new bill and write to you.

If you are already on Universal Credit, you may have told DWP that you wanted to claim council tax reduction when you first applied. If so, DWP will have passed your details to your council. But many people do not follow this up — if you are not sure, contact your council and ask.

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Apply as soon as possible

Council tax reduction is usually not backdated. The sooner you apply, the sooner your bill will fall. If you think you should have been getting a reduction but were not told, Citizens Advice can help you check whether you can get any money back.

If you have savings, this may affect how much you get. The limit varies by council — check your council's website for the exact rules.

Get help

If you are unsure whether you qualify, use a free benefits calculator at turn2us.org.uk. Citizens Advice can also help you apply — find your nearest office at citizensadvice.org.uk.