We are proposing to make some changes to our Council Tax Reduction (known locally as Council Tax Support) scheme and we would like your views before we decide on what to do.
As a local authority, the Council is legally required to consult on any proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction scheme.
Pensioners are not affected by any changes. The proposals are for the working age scheme only.
What we are asking
Council Tax Reduction helps around one quarter of our residents to pay some or all of their Council Tax bill.
Our proposals would affect working age people who have a Council Tax bill and also receive Council Tax Reduction.
Why we are we proposing changes:
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To make the scheme easier to understand and access;
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To continue to support households on the lowest incomes;
- To make the scheme easier to manage.
We want to make it simpler to understand and fairer. Some people will see an increase in Council Tax Reduction and some people may see a decrease, some may stay the same.
Summary of the Proposed Changes:
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Implementing a banded scheme whereby a household is placed in a band based on their household income and this band determines the amount of Council Tax Reduction
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No longer having any protected groups (aside from pension age households)
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Disregarding certain incomes from the assessment
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Awarding a £50 per week disregard per household if you/your partner would be entitled to the Disability Premium, Severe Disability Premium, or Enhanced Disability Premium
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Limiting the number of children that can be considered when assessing entitlement to a maximum of 2 children-a child being someone who you receive child benefit for
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Supporting residents who have a terminal illness (this will also apply to pensioners)
The changes to the scheme would affect working age households in the Stoke-on-Trent City Council area who receive Council Tax Reduction from 1 April 2027.
For more information and to have your say on the consultation, please click the link below:
Council Tax Reduction Consultation
The online consultation closes to the public on 19 November 2026.