Leeds Council Tax Hardship Fund: How to Apply for Discretionary Support

What the Discretionary Fund Is

Leeds City Council operates Discretionary Council Tax Support under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. Its published route is for exceptional cases after a protected-group claimant transfers to Universal Credit; the eligibility conditions are below.

The fund can award up to 100% council tax relief — wiping out even the 25% minimum payment that the standard scheme requires. Discretionary awards are temporary and assessed on the evidence provided; there is no automatic entitlement.

Who the Fund Is Designed For

This support is for exceptional cases involving a move to Universal Credit. You must have had protected status in your Council Tax Support award before the transfer; your award must have fallen by at least 25% compared with the award immediately before the transfer; your overall income loss after the transfer must be at least as large as the CTS reduction; and you must show financial hardship.

How to Apply

Request the official Discretionary Council Tax Support form by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Request for Discretionary Council Tax Support.” Include your CTS claim number, full address, date of birth, and National Insurance number. The email requests the form; it is not the application itself. Complete the form with your household income, spending, debts, and evidence of the income and CTS reductions after your transfer to Universal Credit.

What to Expect

The council assesses the evidence and any award is temporary and discretionary. If approved, the relief is credited directly to your council tax account, reducing or eliminating your remaining balance. If refused, ask Leeds for the written reasons and the route to challenge that decision.

This Is Separate From Payment Plans

A discretionary award actually reduces your council tax liability. A payment plan just spreads what you owe over more months without reducing the total. If you meet the discretionary-support conditions, you can request an award; if you are struggling with payments, ask Leeds about a payment arrangement separately.

If you are behind on payments, contact Leeds separately to ask whether you can agree a payment arrangement.

The Leeds Council Tax Reduction guide includes the discretionary support eligibility criteria and an email template to request the official application form.

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