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Council Tax Reduction: Cut — or Clear — Your Council Tax Bill
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by: Silverwings Benefits Team · Source: GOV.UK
Council Tax Reduction (sometimes called Council Tax Support) is a discount on your council tax bill, run by your local council — not the government. For some households, it can reduce the bill by hundreds of pounds a year, or clear it completely. Silverwings can help you check your eligibility and work through the application with your council.
Silverwings Benefits Ltd is an independent, paid-for service — we are not the DWP, HMRC, your local council, or any government department, and we have no affiliation with any of them. You can apply for Council Tax Reduction yourself, for free, on the official GOV.UK Council Tax Reduction page. Free help is also available from Citizens Advice or Turn2us.
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The basics
The basics
Run by your local council, not central government
Each council sets its own scheme, so how much you could get and exactly who qualifies varies depending on where you live.
Means-tested
It generally depends on your income, savings, and who else lives with you — not on age or health alone.
Often missed alongside other support
People who qualify for Pension Credit, Universal Credit or certain other benefits are frequently also eligible for Council Tax Reduction, but don’t always realise it’s a separate application.
Discovery guide
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The cascade
How Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit connect to this
We call this the benefit cascade: being awarded one benefit can directly increase, or unlock, your entitlement to several others — but nothing happens automatically. Each one still has to be identified and applied for separately.
- 1
Attendance Allowance
Not means-tested, and can increase your income calculation for Pension Credit.
- 2
Pension Credit
A new or increased award can unlock full or partial Council Tax Reduction.
- 3
Council Tax Reduction
Can mean hundreds, sometimes thousands, off your council tax bill each year — for as long as you remain eligible.
To be upfront: Silverwings offers a paid, success-fee service to apply for Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit and PIP on our clients' behalf. Where we charge a fee, it is 20% + VAT of the first year’s award or saving (24% inclusive), payable only if the application succeeds. Council Tax Reduction is always free to claim yourself directly with your council, and many of our clients prefer us to handle the whole spread so they only deal with one team.
Could you get more Council Tax Reduction?
Do you (or anyone in your household) currently receive Attendance Allowance or Pension Credit?
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Each short answer takes about ten seconds.
Quick answers, explained in 10 seconds
Paying the full Council Tax bill? You may be entitled to a reduction
One entitlement can lead to another — Pension Credit and CTR
Watch: Council Tax Reduction explained
Our video guide to Council Tax Reduction is on the way — check back soon.
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“Silverwings have literally changed my life.”
I was diagnosed with asthma over 35 years ago and unfortunately I caught covid in April 2020, prior to the vaccinations and it has had a detrimental effect on my asthma. I have also been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. I applied on line and was given an appointment. A member of their team, Tony, called me and we completed my form. He was very patient, friendly and understanding. He is a credit to Silver wings. I heard within 6 weeks that I had been successful. I cannot thank them enough, as my day to day life now is so more manageable and fulfilling. Thank you “Tony” and the Silver Wings team!
“It is with enormous heartfelt gratitude that I must thank The wonderful Tony Ainsley for helping to change my life! It was through Tony’s help, guidance and coupled with a sense of humour when going through the forms that I was granted The Personal Attendance Allowance.”
Maxine Kallenberg · 11 August 2026
Read the full review“It is with grateful pleasure that I commend Paige and Tony from Silver Wings for their care and professionalism over the last two weeks. I was initially contacted by Paige who explained the process precisely and simply. My (many) questions were answered clearly and concisely and with unending patience. Today I had a call from Tony. Together he and I completed the epic application form required for Attendance Allowance. He showed enormous compassion when asking personal questions about my current predicament. Without Tony’s reassurance and endeavour I’m not sure I would have managed the onerous task alone.”
David · 5 June 2026
Read the full review“Found silver wings by chance and thank the lucky stars we did. They explained the application in easy to comprehend terms, all sailed through with just over an hour phone call from them to guide us through the process. Although we answered honestly we thought the chances of being offered attendance allowance wouldn’t be feasible, but to our amazement all successful... yes we did pay a small percentage to them, they made our life sweeter but unexpectedly, thank you!!!”
Verified Customer · 11 May 2026
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Council Tax Reduction: frequently asked questions
Is Council Tax Reduction the same everywhere?
No. Each local council in England and Scotland runs its own Council Tax Reduction scheme (Wales has a national scheme), so the exact rules and amounts can vary depending on where you live.
Does getting Pension Credit guarantee Council Tax Reduction?
It doesn't guarantee it automatically, but people on Pension Credit — especially Guarantee Credit — are very often eligible for a full or partial reduction. It still needs to be applied for separately with your council.
Can I get Council Tax Reduction if I'm working age?
Yes. Council Tax Reduction is available to people of working age as well as pensioners, though the means test and rules can differ between the two groups depending on your council's scheme.
Is it worth applying if I only expect a small reduction?
Usually yes — even a partial reduction can be worth hundreds of pounds a year, and applying costs nothing and carries no obligation.
How to claim
Your route to claiming it
- 1
Do it yourself, free — apply directly with your local council on GOV.UK. No cost, no obligation, and you keep full control of the process.
- 2
Free charitable help — Citizens Advice and Age UK can also help you apply at no cost.
- 3
Let us handle the whole spread — many of our clients prefer this once they see how Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit connect. We check the full picture and handle the paperwork across all of them, so nothing gets missed.
Because Council Tax Reduction is run locally, the most reliable way to check is directly with your own council — it's free to apply and there's no obligation. Our free Benefits Guide can also help point you toward it as part of a wider check across several types of support.