Working age bands as of April 2025
From Tuesday 1 April 2025, the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) banding scheme for working age households will be as follows:
Based on weekly income | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Household type: | Single | Couples | Family with 1 child | Family with 2 or more children | |||||
CTR banding | Lower limit | Upper limit | Lower limit | Upper limit | Lower limit | Upper limit | Lower limit | Upper limit | CTRS reduction |
Band 2 | £0 | £180 | £0 | £250 | £0 | £330 | £0 | £500 | 80% |
Band 3 | £0 | £90 | £0 | £130 | £0 | £150 | £0 | £260 | 75% |
Band 4 | £90.01 | £120 | £130.01 | £170 | £150.01 | £210 | £260.01 | £340 | 55% |
Band 5 | £120.01 | £150 | £170.01 | £210 | £210.01 | £270 | £340.01 | £420 | 35% |
Band 6 | £150.01 | £180 | £210.01 | £250 | £270.01 | £330 | £420.01 | £500 | 15% |
Please note: If the income level exceeds the upper limit, the entitlement will be 0.
Band 1
We have removed band 1 as it does not apply to any households. Therefore, it is no longer required.
Band 2
We have reduced the award for band 2 from 90% to 80%.
Summary of other changes to the scheme
Transitional protection
The previous protection will be removed from the scheme, as it has been in place for the last 5 years and very few households are still receiving it. If you have this protection removed from Tuesday 1 April, we will write to you either by letter or email.
Non-dependant deductions
The single standard deduction of £10 per week for each non-dependant in the household, regardless of their income is applied.
A minimum award
When any entitlement is calculated as less than £3 per week, no council tax reduction will be awarded.
Council tax reduction cap
The amount of council tax liability that can be used in the calculation of council tax reduction is now capped at band D. If you live in a property with a council tax band of E or above, your council tax reduction will be calculated based on a band D charge.
Absence from home whilst abroad
The number of weeks that someone can be absent from home whilst abroad and continue to receive council tax reduction has been updated to 4 weeks. This change aligns with the Housing Benefit and Pensioner Council Tax Regulations.
If you are absent from home and abroad for more than 4 weeks, your council tax reduction claim will be closed. It may end immediately if you intend to be absent abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Additional support for care leavers
Care leavers will not be required to pay any council tax until they turn 21-years-old.