Barnet Resident Support Fund and Grant Approval for Council Tax Help

Barnet's standard Council Tax Reduction scheme has hard limits — a 70% maximum discount, a £6,000 capital ceiling, and the Band C cap. When those limits leave a household in severe financial difficulty, several additional funds can help fill the gap.

Council Tax Discretionary Relief (CTDR)

CTDR is administered under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. It allows Barnet to reduce or completely cancel remaining council tax liability for residents facing exceptional hardship. Barnet has allocated dedicated annual funding — including an additional £500,000 expansion — specifically for this scheme.

To qualify, you must meet all four criteria:

1. You are the liable council tax account holder
2. You have already claimed all primary statutory reductions (CTR, Single Person Discount, any disability reductions that apply)
3. You are experiencing severe financial hardship due to circumstances beyond your control
4. You are actively taking steps to address your financial situation (for example, engaging with a debt advice agency)

CTDR cannot cover housing costs, rent arrears, or service charges — it reduces council tax liability only.

Since 1 April 2026, Barnet has added a dedicated CTDR pathway for terminally ill residents who can provide an SR1 medical form. This operates alongside the standard hardship assessment.

How to Apply for CTDR

Applications go through Barnet's Grant Approval portal — this is a separate website from MyAccount and the Benefits General Form. You will need to create an account on the Grant Approval site and submit:

• Three months of unredacted bank statements for all accounts
• A detailed income and expenditure breakdown
• A copy of your tenancy agreement (if renting)
• Medical or social agency supporting letters (if applicable)

Phone support for the application is available on 020 8359 4242 or via email at [email protected].

Processing takes longer than standard CTR claims. The council assesses each application individually based on the severity of hardship and available funding.

Barnet Crisis and Resilience Fund

This is separate from CTDR. The Crisis and Resilience Fund provides non-repayable grants for immediate living costs — emergency food vouchers, utility relief, and essential household goods. It does not reduce your council tax bill directly, but it frees up money in your overall budget.

The fund replaced emergency components of the Household Support Fund model. Apply through Barnet's Resident Support Fund team (same contact: 020 8359 4242).

Care Leaver Discount

Barnet provides a 100% discretionary council tax discount for care leavers aged 18 to 24 who were in the care of the London Borough of Barnet for at least 13 weeks since age 14. You must first apply for standard CTR and the Single Person Discount — the Care Leaver Discount then reduces any remaining liability to zero.

Applications are coordinated through your Personal Adviser or by emailing [email protected].

The Application Sequence

CTDR is a last-resort fund. Barnet expects you to have exhausted standard routes first:

1. Apply for Council Tax Reduction
2. Claim the Single Person Discount if eligible
3. Check whether the Disabled Band Reduction or SMI disregard applies
4. If your remaining bill is still unaffordable after all of the above, apply for CTDR

Our Barnet Council Tax Reduction guide covers the full sequence from standard CTR through to the discretionary hardship application, including the evidence requirements for each stage.

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