Council Tax Reduction Scheme Consultation

Overview

Hackney Council is consulting residents on proposals to revise the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS). Please read the consultation summary, under the Related section below to find out more about the proposed changes, and what this could mean for you.

What is the Council Tax Reduction Scheme?

The CTRS helps residents on low incomes to pay their Council Tax. Under the current scheme, a Hackney resident liable for Council Tax could get up to 100% of the charge paid through the scheme if they are a pensioner, or up to 85% of the charge paid if they are a working age household (i.e. the Council Tax Bill Payer is under pension credit age).

The amount of support a household can get through the scheme is determined through a ‘means test’ – this means we look at your total income and any money that you and your partner (if you have one) have as savings. We then compare it against a minimum allowance that you need to live on, depending on your circumstances.

At the moment, the Council Tax Reduction Scheme helps around 32,000 Hackney residents on a low income to pay their Council Tax.

Why your views matter

Hackney’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme has remained unchanged since it was introduced in April 2013, and has now become out of date.