What Evidence Do I Need for Council Tax Reduction?

What Evidence Do I Need for Council Tax Reduction?

Council tax reduction evidence includes documents that prove your identity, income, savings, and circumstances.Your local council needs this information to assess your eligibility and calculate how much reduction you can receive. The exact evidence required may vary slightly between councils, but most ask for similar documents.

Essential Evidence Categories

You'll typically need evidence in these main categories:

Detailed Evidence Requirements

Here's what you need to provide for each category:

1. Proof of Identity

You need to prove who you are and where you live:

• Passport: Current valid passport (photocopy is usually acceptable)
• Driving licence: Full or provisional driving licence
• Birth certificate: Your original birth certificate
• National Insurance number: Your NI number card or letter
• Proof of address: Recent utility bill, council tax bill, or bank statement
• Immigration documents: If you're not a British citizen

2. Proof of Income

Evidence of all your income sources:

• Employment income: Payslips from the last 3 months
• Self-employment: Recent accounts, tax returns, or profit/loss statements
• Pensions: State pension letter, private pension statements
• Benefits: Universal Credit statements, PIP letters, Attendance Allowance
• Other income: Maintenance payments, rental income, investment income
• Student loans/grants: If you're a student

3. Bank Statements and Savings

Evidence of all your financial accounts:

• Current accounts: Last 3 months of statements
• Savings accounts: All savings account statements
• Building society accounts: All building society statements
• Investment accounts: ISAs, shares, bonds, unit trusts
• Premium bonds: Current value certificate
• Other assets: Property, vehicles, valuable items

4. Household Information

Evidence about everyone in your household:

• Household members: Names, dates of birth, relationships
• Student status: If anyone is a full-time student
• Disability status: Medical evidence, benefit letters
• Carer status: Carer's Allowance letters, medical evidence
• Immigration status: For non-British citizens

5. Housing Information

Evidence about your housing situation:

• Tenancy agreement: If you rent your home
• Mortgage statements: If you own your home
• Council tax bill: Current council tax bill
• Rent book: If you have a rent book
• Housing benefit: If you receive housing benefit

How to Organize Your Evidence

Follow these steps to organize your evidence properly:

Step 1: Gather All Documents

Collect all the required evidence:

• Check the list: Go through each category and gather what you have
• Request missing documents: Contact relevant organizations for missing evidence
• Make photocopies: Copy all original documents
• Check dates: Ensure documents are recent enough
• Organize by category: Group documents by type

Step 2: Make Photocopies

Create copies of all your evidence:

• Use clear copies: Make sure photocopies are legible
• Include all pages: Copy both sides of documents if needed
• Keep originals safe: Store original documents securely
• Label copies: Write what each document is on the copy
• Check quality: Ensure copies are clear and complete

Step 3: Organize and Submit

Prepare your evidence for submission:

• Use a folder: Organize documents in a clear folder
• Number pages: Number each page for easy reference
• Create a list: Make a list of all documents included
• Submit promptly: Send evidence as soon as possible
• Keep copies: Keep copies of everything you send

Common Evidence Problems and Solutions

Here are common issues and how to resolve them:

What If You Don't Have All the Evidence?

Don't let missing evidence delay your application:

• Submit what you have: Send your application with available evidence
• Explain what's missing: Include a note explaining what evidence you're trying to get
• Contact your council: Ask what alternatives they accept
• Get help: Contact Citizens Advice for assistance
• Follow up: Send missing evidence as soon as you get it