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Low Income Disabled Band Reduction Support Scheme Payment

Overview of the Scheme

The Welsh Government has identified the scope for a one-off cash payment of £100 to be made to a limited number of low-income disabled households. The purpose of the payment is to provide support to a defined cohort who are at particular risk due to higher energy needs in winter.

The one-off payment is intended to ease some of the financial pressures that low-income households with a resident who is disabled are facing this winter. For example, the payment might help some households reduce their risk of falling into energy debt. The payment may also improve the mental wellbeing of the members of the household by reducing the stress associated with financial worries.

The primary purpose is for the payment to be a cash payment where possible (as opposed to a credit to an account or a voucher) and one in which the recipient can choose how the payment is spent.  It is important therefore that the default position is for eligible recipients to be able to elect which bank account the payment is made to.

Eligibility for low income DBRSS payments

The Council has identified those households that will qualify for a payment from this scheme through its Council Tax records and will write directly to those households to make their claim. If you do not receive a letter from the Council about this scheme, then you will not be considered as eligible and should refrain from contacting the Council about it.

A payment of £100 can be made to a household under the scheme if both of the following conditions are met. 

  1. 1.     Council Tax Reduction Scheme Entitlement (CTRS) Condition

If the person(s) identifiable as liable to pay the council tax by the local authority was(were) in receipt of or had applied for (and that application was successful) support through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) on 31 October 2025, they are automatically assessed as being entitled to a payment of £100 if they also meet the Disabled Band Reduction (DBR) condition.

  1. 2.     Disabled Band Reduction (DBR) Condition

Households in receipt of support through CTRS must also satisfy the following criteria:

  • Have a DBR applied to the residence on 31 October 2025
  • Have an application submitted for a DBR on (or before) 31 October 2025 (which is subsequently approved); and
  • The disabled resident for whom the DBR relates to must be living in that property as their main or primary residence on 31 October 2025

Local authorities administering the scheme will be able to make the reasonable assumption that household(s) liable to pay council tax are also responsible for paying the utility and other regularly incurred bills. 

Each household is restricted to only one payment of £100

Only one payment is to be made in relation to any single dwelling under the scheme.  In cases of joint and several liability, only one payment is to be made, and it should be paid to the first named person on the council tax bill unless otherwise notified.  Where this is not possible, local authorities have discretion to identify the most appropriate person to whom the payment should be made.

The closing date for applications is 28th February 2026.

FAQs

  • Q.  If authorities can identify eligible households and have current bank details for them, can the Disabled Band Reduction Support payment be made without the need for confirming details?
  • No – we are recommending local authorities contact eligible participants to ensure the bank details they have are the account that the person would like the payment made to. In addition, the local authority will need to verify via the registration form that the person who qualifies for the DBR is still resident in the property.
  • Q.  There will be groups of low-income households who are not liable for council tax. Why have these not been included as eligible for the scheme?
  • This scheme is intended to provide support to a discrete cohort who are easily identifiable through the use of council tax data. 
  • Households can also apply to the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) if they are experiencing financial hardship. www.gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf
  • Q.  Will the £100 payment affect means-tested benefits?
  • The DWP has confirmed payments made under Local Welfare Provision are disregarded in the assessment of Income Support, Income Based JSA and Income Related ESA so these will not be affected. Universal Credit claimants will not see their entitlement change because of receiving this payment. 
  • Q.  A householder(s) owns two homes in Wales, are they eligible for assistance through the scheme?
  •  Only in respect of the property they inhabit as a primary residence (if they do occupy one of these properties as their primary residence). 
  • Is there a target date by which payments should be made?
  • Yes. All payments must be made by March 2026; however local authorities are encouraged to make payments as soon as practically possible after a decision to award the payment has been made.
  • Q.  Can a householder(s) appeal against a decision not to award a payment under the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme?
  •  No. There is no right of appeal against a decision not to grant a payment as a refusal will arise because the household does not meet the conditions of the scheme. 
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