Households in Scotland are being urged to check whether they could reduce their Council Tax bill as new research shows more families are falling behind with essential payments.
The Resolution Foundation found that the proportion of poorer households in arrears on priority bills, including Council Tax, energy, water and rent, has almost doubled since 2020. Some 18 per cent were behind with these essential bills in March this year, according to the think tank.
The findings come after five years of sharply rising living costs, which the Resolution Foundation estimates have left the average household around £2,900 worse off than they would have been if inflation had remained at normal levels.
Rising hardship among poorer families
James Smith, chief economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “While the hit to incomes from rising prices has been felt right across the board, the hardship has not been equally shared.
“It is poorer families who have cut back hardest on heating and are falling behind fastest on essential bills, and the conflict in the Middle East is set to keep energy prices high.”
Latest Scottish Government figures show 462,310 households were receiving a Council Tax Reduction in July. The support was worth an estimated £8.9million each week, equivalent to an average reduction of around £19 per household per week, or just over £1,000 across a full year.
Who can get help with Council Tax
The actual amount someone receives depends on their individual circumstances and Council Tax Reduction can, in some cases, cover up to 100 per cent of the bill. People do not necessarily need to be receiving benefits to qualify for help.
If you are finding it difficult to keep up with payments, contact your local authority and explain your financial situation. They may be able to put your account on 'hold' and agree the next payment date, giving you a bit of breathing room to get back on track.
Most Council Tax bills are paid over 10 months, but this can be changed to 12 - as long as you agree to pay by Direct Debit. A full list of help available including extra financial support can be found on the Scottish Government’s dedicated cost of living website.
Exemptions and discounts
You will not pay Council Tax if you are a full-time student, in the Armed Forces in Forces accommodation, live in a care home or hospital, your home is unoccupied and empty (up to six months) - for example, if you’ve gone into hospital - or you have a severe mental impairment (e.g. dementia). If you only live with someone who has dementia, then you’ll be treated as a sole occupant as they will be disregarded, but you won’t both be exempt. Contact your local authority about your eligibility and how you can apply for an exemption.
If you live alone, you could get a 25 per cent reduction, regardless of your financial circumstances. Council Tax is not calculated for anyone aged under 18, full-time students, student nurses and some apprentices or trainees. Carers who look after someone in the household for at least 35 hours per week and who meet additional criteria may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes, but this doesn’t apply if the person receiving care is the partner of the carer, or is the carer’s child aged under 18.
You may be able to get your home moved to a lower band if it has decreased in value - for example, if you have made home adaptations for a disabled person, or if a motorway has been built nearby. You may also get the band lowered if a room in the house is dedicated to equipment used by a disabled person on a daily basis.
Applying for Council Tax Reduction
You may be eligible to claim a Council Tax Reduction if you’re on a low income or claiming certain benefits. You can also claim Council Tax support regardless of whether you own your own home or rent, or whether you’re working or unemployed. Each local council is responsible for operating their own Council Tax support scheme, so the amount of support given across the country may vary.
The amount you will get depends on many factors, including which benefits you receive, your age, your income, your savings, who you live with, and how much council tax you pay. You may get more Council Tax support if you receive a disability or carers benefit. If you receive the Guarantee Credit Part of Pension Credit you may even get your Council Tax paid in full. If you don’t have it, but are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in savings, you may still get some help. Full details on help with Council Tax can be found on MYGOV.SCOT.
If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax or have fallen behind with payments, free help and advice is available. Council Tax arrears are classed as a priority debt, so it is important to contact your local authority as soon as possible. You may be able to arrange smaller payments or agree an affordable repayment plan. Councils have powers to recover unpaid Council Tax, including deductions from wages or bank accounts in certain circumstances. Free, confidential support is available through Advice Direct Scotland and its moneyadvice.scot service, or by calling 0808 196 2316.
