What Evidence Do You Need for Council Tax Reduction in County Durham?

The Evidence the Council Expects

Durham County Council requires documentary proof across several categories before it finalizes a Council Tax Reduction award. An incomplete application can delay a decision.

Here's what you need for each category:

Identity and residency

• Valid passport or photocard driving licence
• Recent utility bills (gas, electric, water)
• Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement
• DWP letters showing your current address

Income from employment

• Five consecutive weekly payslips, or
• Two consecutive monthly payslips, or
• Your most recent P60

Self-employment income

• Audited profit and loss accounts
• HMRC self-assessment tax returns
• The council's own self-employment declaration form (available from Customer Services)

Savings and capital

• Official bank statements covering the most recent two full months — for every account you hold (current accounts, savings accounts, ISAs, building society accounts)
• Investment statements if you hold stocks, shares, or unit trusts

Disability or terminal illness

• PIP or DLA award letters showing the component and rate
• SR1 medical form for terminal illness claims (this upgrades a 90% discount to 100%)

The One-Month Deadline

After you submit your initial application, the council reviews it and sends a written list of any missing documents. You have one calendar month from the date of that request to provide everything.

If you get the evidence in on time, your original application date is preserved — meaning your CTR starts from when you first applied (or the relevant backdated date if UC alignment or new liability rules apply).

If evidence is supplied late without good cause, the official claim date shifts to the date the complete evidence is received. That can leave a period without the discount.

Common Reasons Evidence Gets Rejected

Forum posts and advice services consistently flag these problems:

Mobile banking screenshots — for an ordinary CTR claim, submit the requested statements covering the most recent two full months. For discretionary hardship relief, the council requires full bank statements; mobile app screenshots are not accepted.

Partial statements — sending only one month when two are required, or only showing one account when you have three. The council needs to see every account to assess your total capital position.

Outdated payslips — payslips from three months ago when the council needs the most recent consecutive run. If your employer provides digital payslips, print or download the correct ones.

Missing accounts — provide statements for all accounts held so the council can assess your total capital.

For Hardship Relief: Extra Evidence

If you're applying for Section 13A discretionary hardship relief (the council's hardship fund), the evidence bar is higher:

• Six months of full bank statements (not two)
• A detailed income and expenditure schedule
• Proof that you've already applied for all other discounts and exemptions you're entitled to

Computer printouts and unverified digital downloads have been flagged as insufficient for hardship applications specifically.

How to Get It Right First Time

Gather everything before you start the online application. Check that your bank statements are official, consecutive, and cover all accounts. Make sure payslips are the most recent run. If you're self-employed, have your accounts or tax returns ready.

If you're not sure what format the council will accept, call Customer Services (03000 26 0000) and ask before submitting.

The County Durham Council Tax Reduction guide includes a printable evidence checklist organised by category, with a one-calendar-month deadline tracker to keep your submission on schedule.

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