Council Tax Care Leaver Discount in England

How care leaver relief works

Care leavers in England can receive up to 100% relief from council tax under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is a discretionary power — each billing authority sets its own policy, covering the age range, the percentage of relief and any income conditions.

Council policies vary: they may offer up to 100% relief to care leavers aged 18 to 21, and many extend eligibility to age 25, sometimes subject to a vulnerability or income review. The Children's Society and Coram Voice track which councils offer what, and the coverage has expanded significantly since the government's 2018 guidance encouraging all councils to provide relief.

Statutory eligibility requires the young person to have been in local-authority care on or after their 16th birthday for at least 13 weeks. Each council's discretionary policy still determines the age range, amount of relief and any additional conditions.

How care leaver relief interacts with the single person discount

Care leaver relief sits on top of all other statutory discounts. The calculation order is:

1. The gross council tax for the property's band
2. Any disabled band reduction (drops the bill by one band)
3. The 25% single person discount (if the care leaver lives alone or with only disregarded adults)
4. Any care leaver discretionary relief under Section 13A(1)(c)

A care leaver living alone gets the 25% single person discount first, then the discretionary relief applies to the reduced amount. Where the council offers 100% relief, the bill reaches zero regardless — but both entitlements should be recorded on the account, because if the care leaver ages out of the discretionary scheme, the SPD continues.

How to apply

Contact your billing authority's council tax team. Most councils have a care leaver application form — either online or available through the council's leaving care team. You will need:

• Proof of care leaver status (a letter from the local authority that looked after you, or your personal advisor)
• Your council tax account number or the property address
• Your date of birth

If your care authority and your billing authority are different councils (for example, you were in care in one area but now live in another), the billing authority still processes the claim. They may contact your former care authority to verify your status.

What to do if relief is refused

If a council refuses care leaver relief or does not offer it, the options depend on the reason:

Council has no scheme: Some smaller councils have not yet adopted a care leaver policy. Write to the council citing the government's guidance and the widespread adoption by other authorities. Your personal advisor or a charity like Coram Voice can support this.

Council says you do not qualify: Check the council's published policy for the age range and eligibility criteria. If you meet its criteria, request a written decision and, if you disagree, use the Section 16 grievance and Valuation Tribunal appeal process.

You are over the council's age cap: If the council only covers 18-21 and you are 23, there is no statutory right to override that — the scheme is discretionary. However, Section 13A(1)(c) gives the council power to reduce any individual's bill, and you can make a hardship application outside the formal scheme.

The 25% single person discount itself is never discretionary. If you live alone, apply for that separately — it is a statutory right under Section 11 of the Act. The England Single Person Discount guide covers the claim process, evidence requirements and what to do if any discount is refused.

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