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How to apply for a reduction

You should write to or telephone your council if you think you may be entitled to a reduction on your Council Tax. You will need to apply for the reduction; your council will not automatically apply it, even if you receive care and support from social services.

The council will send you a form to fill in and return. You can also find out about, and in some cases apply for, Council Tax reductions on your local council's website. The following link will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local council's website. This service is only available for councils in England.

• Visit the Council Tax pages of your council website Opens new window

What happens next

If your application is approved

You will see your reduction at the top of your next Council Tax bill. Normally the reduction is backdated to the date you applied. Councils may backdate a reduction if you can demonstrate you were entitled to it before you applied.

If your application is refused

If you disagree with the council's decision, you should write to them again setting out why you believe the reduction should apply. The council has two months to change or confirm its decision.

If you still disagree with the decision, or if you don't get a response within two months, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. This is independent from the council. You should continue to pay your original bill while your appeal is outstanding.

The appeal process is explained in more detail in the leaflet 'Council Tax - a guide to your bill'.

• Council Tax - a guide to your bill (PDF document, 155K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Valuing properties that have been adapted for disabled people

The rules for valuing properties for Council Tax purposes make special provisions for those adapted for physically disabled people. They are separate from the Council Tax reductions for disabled people.

When a property is valued to decide its Council Tax band, it may have fixtures for a physically disabled person. These fixtures may reduce the value of the property but this will be taken into account. Anything which increases the value of the property will be disregarded.

Valuations are conducted by the Valuation Office Agency. If you think they may not have accounted for any special fixtures you should contact your local Valuation Office Agency office. You can find contact details on the Valuation Office Agency website.

• Valuation Office Agency website Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Financial support contacts