Last updated: 23 April 2025
Next review: 1 April 2026
Council Tax Support Scheme from 1 April 2025
Waltham Forest Council has changed its Council Tax Support scheme from 1 April 2025.
There are two schemes: one is for people above pension age and the other is for people who are below pension age (we call this ‘working age’). The way in which Council Tax Support is calculated for pensioners is set nationally and is largely unchanged other than .
From 1 April 2025 the scheme applicable to working age people has changed to what is known as a 'banded scheme'. This means a set-percentage reduction in Council Tax liability will be applied. The reduction is set according to the income and family circumstances of the people responsible for paying the Council Tax.
The main features of the scheme are:
- The maximum level of 85% support will be retained but will be limited to financially vulnerable groups (households responsible for a child under 6 and/or at least one member is unable to work through disability).
- Only earned income will be assessed when calculating entitlement. This means persons wholly reliant on state benefits will receive either a 57% or, if they fall into one of the financially vulnerable groups, an 85% reduction.
- Non-dependant deductions will be applied to all non-dependants at a rate of £20.00 per week for those who are employed or self-employed or whose income cannot be determined, and £8.00 per for all others.
| Band | % Support | Single | Couple | Single, 1 Child | Couple, 1 Child | Single, 2+ Children | Couple, 2+ Children |
| Financially vulnerable groups | 85% | £350.00 or less | |||||
| Band 1 | 57% | Less than £120.01 | Less than £140.01 | Less than £140.01 | Less than £160.01 | Less than £160.01 | Less than £180.01 |
| Band 2 | 47% | More than £120.00 | More than £140.00 | More than £140.00 | More than £160.00 | More than £160.00 | More than £180.00 |
| Less than £170.01 | Less than £190.01 | Less than £190.01 | Less than £210.10 | Less than £210.10 | Less than £230.01 | ||
| Band 3 | 37% | More than £170.00 | More than £190.00 | More than £190.00 | More than £210.00 | More than £210.00 | More than £230.00 |
| Less than £210.01 | Less than £230.01 | Less than £230.01 | Less than £250.01 | Less than £250.01 | Less than £270.01 | ||
| Band 4 | 27% | More than £210.00 | More than £230.00 | More than £230.00 | More than £250.00 | More than £250.00 | More than £270.00 |
| Less than £250.01 | Less than £270.01 | Less than £270.01 | Less than £290.01 | Less than £290.01 | Less than £310.01 | ||
| Band 5 | 17% | More than £250.00 | More than £270.00 | More than £270.00 | More than £290.00 | More than £290.00 | More than £310.00 |
| Less than £290.01 | Less than £310.01 | Less than £310.01 | Less than £330.01 | Less than £330.01 | Less than £350.00 | ||
Full details of the new scheme will be published on the Council's website on 1 April 2025.
Council Tax Support Scheme 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026
For the financial year 2025/2026 anyone under the eligible pension age who is liable to pay Council Tax will have to pay at least 15 per cent of their Council Tax bill.
Pensioners will continue to receive support up to 100 per cent of their Council Tax bill
If you’re struggling to pay your Council Tax, you could qualify for help to reduce your Council Tax bill with the Discretionary Council Tax Hardship Scheme.
For more information on the Waltham Forest Council Tax Support scheme please refer to the following documents.