If you are experiencing financial hardship or difficult personal circumstances you may apply for Discretionary Council Tax Relief which can allow you a short-term reduction in your Council tax.
On this page:
- How it works
- Who it is for (Eligibility)
- Apply
- Report a change of circumstances
How it works
Discretionary Council Tax Relief (Also known as section 13a council tax relief) is a short-term reduction in Council Tax for people facing exceptional financial hardship.
This is a discretionary scheme, so awards are not guaranteed. We will look at your application individually and decide whether to reduce your bill based on its own merits.
The scheme aims to:
- prevent homelessness
- keep families together
- support vulnerable residents
- support those unable to work due to disability
- help residents through personal crises and difficult events
Discount amount
The amount of discount is based on your individual circumstances.
The Council may reduce your Council Tax by any amount, including reducing it to zero.
How long the relief lasts
This support is temporary and is not intended to cover long-term shortfalls in Council Tax.
We usually award relief for the rest of the current council tax year. You must apply again if you still need help
Who it is for (Eligibility)
You can apply if you pay Council Tax to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council for a property that you live in.
You can apply formally on someone’s behalf if you are an appointee or someone with power of attorney.
You cannot apply for the discount for:
- a rental property that you own and do not live in- for example a landlord or estate agent
- an empty property that you own
To be considered, you must have:
- evidence of financial hardship or exceptional circumstances
- applied for Council Tax Reduction if you are eligible
- received all other council tax discounts or reductions you are entitled to
- taken reasonable steps to improve your situation
- received all state benefit income that you are entitled to
- not have access to other funds or assets to pay your Council Tax
Apply
Your application should include:
- Your personal information- name, address, date of birth
- The information of other people living in your household
- Household income- for example, the salary or wages of everyone living at the home
- Household spending- for example, bills, mortgage
- An explanation of what has caused your situation and key dates
- What has happened since your situation has started
- You have applied for anything else and been turned down
- Examined my expenditure and curtailed excessive or unnecessary spending
Email revenues@rctcbc.gov.uk to apply for council tax relief.
After you apply
If there are other steps you can take to improve your financial situation, we will give you further advice and instruction on how to improve it.
If we decide to continue with your application, we will ask you to:
- complete a financial assessment
- provide evidence that supports your application
The Council considers each application fairly and consistently, based on your personal, financial and household circumstances.
You will be told the outcome in writing, usually within 14 days of providing all the information needed.
If your application is refused, you can ask for a review within one month of the decision.
Report a change of circumstances
You must tell the Council about any changes that may affect your award.
This includes changes to:
- your income
- your household
- your financial situation
If your circumstances change, your award may be reviewed.
Report a change of circumstances