Council Tax Support

Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS)

The Council Tax Reduction Scheme helps people towards the cost of their Council Tax bill.

Wirral’s Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme has changed from 1 April 2025 for Working Age applicants to a new banded scheme. This is to make the scheme easier for residents to understand and reduce changes to their Council Tax with wider income thresholds used before a change to a discounted reduction band

There are no changes for Pension Age applicants as they are part of the national scheme.

Who can get Council Tax Reduction?

To qualify for Council Tax Reduction you must be:

• on a low income
• the person responsible for paying the Council Tax

Council Tax Reduction is calculated by looking at you and your partner’s income, savings and household circumstances.

You will not be able to claim Council Tax Reduction if:

• you and your partner are of working age and have savings or capital over £6,000 or
• you, and your partner are pension age and have savings or capital over £16,000, and not are not receiving Guaranteed Pension Credit

Proof you will need when you apply for Council Tax Reduction

When you apply for Council Tax Reduction you will need to provide certain documents to prove that you are eligible.

Find out what proof you need to provide

Apply for Council Tax Reduction

Currently, a helpline is available for those who might need help filling in or making applications. If you need help with your application, please phone the One Stop Shops team.

Change in circumstances

You must tell us if you have a change in your circumstances. This includes changes to your Universal Credit award.

Appeal against a Council Tax Reduction decision

If you disagree with a decision about Council Tax Reduction you can appeal.

Appeal against a decision

Further information about Council Tax Reduction

The PDF files below may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices.

• Read our Wirral Council Reduction Scheme Banded easy read guide (PDF, 185KB, 11 pages)
• Read the Wirral Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2025 to 2026 (PDF, 995KB, 87 pages)

More information about Wirral Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Help managing money and debt

Citizens Advice Wirral can offer help and advice if you are having difficulty paying bills or struggling with other debts.