Council Tax Reduction award process

If you qualify for Council Tax Reduction this will be paid into your Council Tax account reducing the amount you have to pay. Once your award is worked out we will send you a new Council Tax bill.

Your reduction will usually start from the Monday after we receive your claim form. Return your claim form as soon as possible, as any delay may result in you losing reduction.

Backdating

To receive backdating you must be able to show ‘good cause’ for not claiming earlier. The maximum period to backdate CTR award is three months. This is for both pensioners and working aged claimants.

Examples of when you may have 'good cause':

• You did not immediately claim Housing Benefit or CTR after leaving hospital. 
• You were ill and could not make a claim and could not ask anyone to make the claim on your behalf.

Request backdating

If you feel that you have ‘good cause’ for backdating your claim you should request it as soon as you can. If you delay and you do not have good reason for the delay, we may not be able to pay you backdated benefit.