Bury Council has reviewed its Working Age Council Tax Support scheme to ensure it remains fair, efficient, and sustainable. The current means-tested model is administratively complex and less generous for some working families.
The scheme for Pension Age residents is prescribed by central government and cannot be amended by local authorities.
Council Tax Support provides critical financial support to residents on a low income and works by reducing the amount of Council Tax the resident needs to pay. The level of support is based on the resident’s financial and household circumstances.
The changes to the Council Tax Support scheme have been made in line with the Local Government Finance Act 2012, which sets out that billing authorities must consult with the public on any draft scheme for Council Tax Support.
The Council ran a public consultation on the new scheme in November and December 2025. The new scheme was approved at a full Council meeting on 25 February 2026.
Bury’s current Council Tax Support scheme for working age residents which ends on 31 March 2026
- Fully means tested with a £1.00 change in any income leading to a £0.20 adjustment to entitlement
- A 20% minimum payment for all recipients
- An £8,000 upper capital limit
- Support is ‘capped’ at the value of a Band B property for Council Tax purposes.
- A sliding scale of deductions for other adults living in the property (non-dependant deduction)
- Protections in place for the following households:
- Disabled
- Carers
- Lone Parents with a child under 5
- Those in receipt of certain Armed Forces benefits and payments
Bury’s new scheme from 1 April 2026
- Only earned income included in assessment - this means that Universal Credit will not be taken into account
- Broader income ‘bands’ used for assessment, depending on your earned income and who lives in your household – see table below
- Keeps the 20% minimum payment
- Keeps the £8,000 capital limit
- Introduces a £40.00 per month flat rate non-dependant deduction
- Keeps the same protections in place for the following households:
- Disabled
- Carers
- Lone Parents with a child under 5
- Those in receipt of certain Armed Forces benefits and payments
Bands of monthly earned income
|
Dis- -count |
Single |
Single +1 Child |
Single +2 Child |
Single +3+ Child |
Couple |
Couple +1 Child |
Couple +2 Child |
Couple +3 Child |
|
80% |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 |
|
60% |
£0.01 - £100 |
£0.01 - £200 |
£0.01 - £300 |
£0.01 - £300 |
£0.01 - £100 |
£0.01 - £200 |
£0.01 - £300 |
£0.01 - £300 |
|
40% |
£100.01 - £500 |
£200.01 - £700 |
£300.01 - £800 |
£300.01 - £800 |
£100.01 - £600 |
£200.01 - £700 |
£300.01 - £800 |
£300.01 - £800 |
|
20% |
£500.01 - £900 |
£700.01 - £1100 |
£800.01 - £1200 |
£800.01 - £1200 |
£600.01 - £1000 |
£700.01 - £1100 |
£800.01 - £1200 |
£800.01 - £1200 |
|
0% |
Over £900 |
Over £1100 |
Over £1200 |
Over £1200 |
Over £1000 |
Over £1100 |
Over £1200 |
Over £1200 |
What happens next
If you are of working age and currently in receipt of Council Tax Support, your new entitlement will be calculated on the information you have already provided to us. You will not need to make a new claim.
You will receive a benefit notification letter a Council Tax bill for the new financial year. These will be issued in stages between 4 March and 12 March 2026.
Downloads
- pdf file
