Four groups eligible for council tax reductions as bills rise

Four groups eligible for council tax reductions as bills riseCouncil tax bills will be rising by 4.9 per cent this AprilCommentsMoneySamantha Leathers Senior Money & Lifestyle writer11:26, 04 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesMany households may be able to lower their council tax bill(Image: GETTY)Council tax bills are rising in April by 4.9 per cent on average for households across England, which is surpassing current inflation rates. This will see the average Band D bill rising by £111, but several councils have been given government permission to introduce even bigger hikes to improve their financial position.‌While bills rise, some households may not realise they could be reducing their costs by applying for council tax reductions, support and discounts. There is no set amount of council tax reduction, and the eligibility criteria can differ from council to council, but there are four main groups that will likely qualify for support.‌Low incomeCouncil tax reduction is built to support households on low incomes or receiving certain benefits. What you need to qualify for the support and how much of a reduction you will get can depend on your local council’s rules.‌View 3 ImagesPeople can qualify for a discount depending on who they live with(Image: GETTY)The Gov.uk website has a postcode checker that can direct people to their local council’s tax reduction and support schemes. The support can reduce council tax bills by up to 100 per cent.Factors that can affect your eligibility and how much reduction you get:‌Your income, savings and pensionsWho you live withHow much council tax you payYour ageWhat benefits you claimIf you are disabledIf you are a carerIf you have childrenBenefitsMany means-tested benefits qualify for council tax support, but this will also differ from council to council. This can include Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit and Employment and Support AllowancePeople with disabilities or caring duties may also qualify fo...