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Council Tax Benefit

Council Tax Benefit helps people on a low income pay their Council Tax bill; it can help you pay all or part of your Council Tax.  Council Tax Benefit does not cover any water or waste water charges which you are due to pay along with your Council Tax.

Anyone who is liable to pay Council Tax can make a claim for Council Tax Benefit.  

You can make a claim if you are:

  • a pensioner
  • unemployed
  • working
  • disabled.

You can still claim even if you are not getting any other benefits, or if you have not made any National Insurance contributions.  

You will not be able to claim Council Tax Benefit if you (or your partner)

  • are not the householder or the person liable to pay the Council Tax at your address
  • have savings or capital of £16,000 or more
  • are excluded from receiving public funds, due to your status in the United Kingdom
  • have not yet moved into your house (however you may be able to apply for an exemption or a discount)
  • are a full time student in higher education  (however you may be able to apply for an exemption or a discount)

To work out your Council Tax Benefit entitlement, we will look at:

  • all of the money that you and your partner have coming in - including earnings, benefits, tax credits, pensions etc.
  • any savings that you and your partner may have
  • your circumstances - such as your age and the size of your family: the ages of your children: whether you or any of your family are disabled: if there is anyone else who lives with you who could help with the Council Tax.

Water and Waste Water Charge Reduction

If you get Council Tax Benefit and there are two or more adults in your household, you will also get a reduction of up to 25% on your water charges.  

Second Adult Rebate

Even if you don’t qualify for Council Tax Benefit based on your own income and circumstances, you may be able to claim a Second Adult rebate if other adults in your household are unemployed or on a low income.  

A Second Adult Rebate is not normally paid if the main taxpayers are a couple or if anyone in the household is paying rent to the taxpayer.

The amount of rebate you will get is normally:

25% of the bill if the second adult(s) is on income support/income-based JSA or Pension credit

15% of the bill if the second adult earns less than £169.00 a week or 7.5% of the bill if the second adult earns between £169.00 and £220.00 a week.  If they earn more than £220.00 a week no rebate is due.

Find out how much you're entitled to by using our online Benefits Calculator

Download a Benefit application form

For help, information or a form.

  • Phone 01786 443210 between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday (3.30pm Wednesdays);
  • For local rate calls from Crianlarich, Inveruglas, Killin, Lochearnhead, Mugdock and Tyndrum, dial 0845 277 7000
  • For Minicom dial 01786 464599.  
  • Or email us at finservices@stirling.gov.uk.

Full details about Council Tax Benefit are available from the Department of Work and Pensions.

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