Brent Council Tax Hardship Fund: How to Apply and What to Expect

What the hardship fund is for

Brent Council maintains a £1.5 million Discretionary Council Tax Hardship Fund for residents who are already receiving Council Tax Reduction but still can't afford the remaining bill. It's funded under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, which gives the council power to reduce anyone's council tax liability — even to zero.

This fund exists specifically because the 35% minimum payment catches some households in genuine financial crisis. If your CTR award still leaves you unable to pay essential bills, the hardship fund is the next step.

Who can apply

You need to be already receiving Council Tax Reduction to qualify. The fund isn't an alternative to CTR — it's a top-up. If you haven't applied for CTR yet, do that first through the My Account portal.

Brent asks applicants to provide evidence of income, essential living expenses, and bank statements to demonstrate "exceptional financial hardship."

The Affordability Passport option

Brent offers an open-banking based "Affordability Passport" as part of the hardship assessment. This allows the council to view a read-only snapshot of your bank transactions to verify income and spending patterns without you having to manually gather and upload months of statements.

It's optional. If you'd rather submit traditional bank statements, the council accepts those too — though processing may take longer since staff have to review them manually.

What evidence to prepare

Whether you use the Affordability Passport or not, gather:

• Proof of all income (wages, benefits, any other payments)
• A breakdown of essential monthly outgoings (rent/mortgage, utilities, food, transport, childcare)
• Two months of bank statements for all accounts (if not using open banking)
• Details of any debts, arrears, or payment plans you're managing
• An explanation of why your current CTR award leaves you unable to pay

Your application must be submitted in writing, titled "Section 13A(1)(c) Hardship Application." Generic emails asking for "help with my bill" don't trigger the formal assessment process.

Awards are temporary

A hardship fund award covers only the tax year in which it's granted. It doesn't carry forward. If your circumstances remain difficult the following April, you'll need to apply again under whatever terms the council sets for that year.

The council can reduce your liability by any amount — including to nil — but there's no guaranteed outcome. Each application is assessed on its own facts.

Can you appeal a refusal?

Yes. Refusals under Section 13A(1)(c) carry a formal right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal for England. First send Brent a written notice of grievance under Section 16 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. If the council rejects it or does not notify you of its decision within two calendar months, you can appeal to the Tribunal. Appeal within two months of a decision, or within four months of your original filing if the council gives no notice.

If your situation is severe — court summons, bailiff threats, or you're choosing between council tax and food — contact StepChange (0800 138 1111) or Citizens Advice Brent (0808 278 7898) immediately for free debt advice while your hardship application is processed.

The Brent Council Tax Reduction guide walks through the hardship fund application from start to finish, including how to structure your income-and-expenditure breakdown to demonstrate genuine financial pressure.

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