How Much Council Tax Reduction Can You Get in County Durham?

The Standard Maximum Is 90% — Here's the Full Scale

Under Durham's 2026/27 income-banded scheme, the maximum standard discount for a working-age household is 90%. An SR1-confirmed terminal-illness case can receive 100% support for up to 12 months. That's a change from the old means-tested system, which could award up to 100% for the lowest-income households.

The discount you get depends on your household's net weekly income after disregards:

• £0.00 – £69.99 per week → 90% discount
• £70.00 – £125.00 → 75% discount
• £125.01 – £200.00 → 50% discount
• £200.01 – £275.00 → 25% discount
• £275.01 or more → no discount

The sole exception is terminal illness: a household where someone holds an SR1 medical form receives 100% support for up to 12 months.

What That Means in Pounds

Council Tax bills in County Durham vary by property band and parish, but here's what the discounts look like on a typical Band A property (roughly £1,300 per year):

Even at the maximum standard 90%, you'll pay around £130 per year — about £2.50 per week. This is the change for households that previously qualified for a 100% award under the old scheme.

How the Council Works Out Your Income

The council doesn't count everything you receive. Three big disregards shape your assessment:

DWP benefits are fully ignored. Universal Credit, PIP, DLA, ESA, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance — none of it counts. If your only income is from DWP benefits and your capital is below £6,000, your assessed income is £0 and you'll land in Band 1 (90% discount).

The first £25 per week of net earnings is disregarded. Combined across you and your partner. So if your take-home pay is £150 per week, the council assesses you on £125 — the boundary between Band 2 (75%) and Band 3 (50%).

Childcare costs are deducted. Up to £175 per week for one child, £300 for two or more. This can drop a working parent into a lower (better) band.

Non-Dependant Deductions Can Reduce Your Award

If another adult lives in your home — an adult child or relative who isn't your partner — the council deducts £10 per week from your CTR award for each non-dependant. This applies regardless of what the non-dependant earns.

The deduction is waived entirely if you or your partner receives PIP daily living, DLA middle or high rate care, Armed Forces Independence Payment, or is registered severely sight-impaired.

Can You Get More Through Other Discounts?

CTR applies after other discounts are taken off your bill. If you qualify for additional reductions, they stack:

• Single Person Discount — 25% off the gross bill if you're the only adult resident
• Disabled Band Reduction — drops your property down one band
• Severe Mental Impairment Exemption — full exemption if all resident adults are certified as severely mentally impaired and receive a qualifying benefit

Your CTR percentage then applies to the reduced bill, stretching the benefit further.

For a detailed breakdown of how to calculate your specific discount — including worked examples for different household types — the County Durham Council Tax Reduction guide walks through the arithmetic step by step.

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