Sandwell Council Tax Hardship Fund — How to Apply for Discretionary Relief

When Standard CTR Isn't Enough

Sandwell's working-age Council Tax Reduction scheme caps awards at 85% of eligible liability. For most claimants, that means a mandatory 15% minimum payment. If that 15% — or the gap caused by the Band B property restriction — pushes your household into genuine financial crisis, a second layer of relief exists.

Under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Sandwell Council has discretionary power to reduce or remove council tax liability entirely on a case-by-case basis. This is the hardship fund, and it's designed for people who've exhausted every other option.

What the Hardship Fund Can Cover

The discretionary relief can cover part or all of the 15% minimum payment that working-age claimants must pay under the standard scheme. It can also help with the shortfall created by the Band B cap if your property sits in a higher band.

There's no fixed award amount — the council assesses each application individually. Awards can range from covering a few months of the minimum payment to wiping the entire remaining liability for the year.

Eligibility Requirements

You must meet all four conditions:

1. You're liable for council tax in Sandwell. The property must be in the borough.
2. You've already claimed standard CTR. Discretionary relief is a top-up, not a replacement. If you haven't applied for the main scheme, do that first.
3. You've applied for all statutory discounts. Single person discount, disabled band reduction, severe mental impairment exemption — anything you're entitled to must already be in place.
4. You can demonstrate extreme financial hardship. This means your income and expenditure assessment shows you genuinely cannot meet the remaining liability.

One important distinction: Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) cover shortfalls in rent liabilities (Housing Benefit or UC housing element). They cannot legally be used for council tax. The Section 13A hardship fund is the only discretionary route for council tax shortfalls.

How to Apply

If you think you may be eligible, contact Sandwell Revenues and Benefits on 0121 569 7474 to discuss your circumstances. The council says it will issue a Section 13A application form if appropriate. You'll need to provide:

• A comprehensive income and expenditure breakdown covering all household earnings, benefits, and outgoings
• Supporting bank statements (typically two months)
• Evidence of any exceptional circumstances — medical needs, caring responsibilities, crisis events

The application is separate from your main CTR claim. Treat it as a fresh case where you're demonstrating to the council that paying the remaining liability would cause severe hardship.

The Crisis Payments Connection

Sandwell also operates a Crisis and Resilience Fund providing emergency short-term financial help — food, utilities, essential household items. While Crisis Payments don't cover council tax directly, receiving one serves as passported evidence of low income. If you've received a Crisis Payment, reference it in your Section 13A application as supporting evidence.

Care Leavers Get Dedicated Relief

If you're a care leaver aged 18–25 who was formerly looked after by Sandwell Children's Trust, the council's separate discretionary policy can reduce your council tax liability to £0 after applying any standard CTR and single person discount. Check the council's policy for how to apply.

If Your Application Is Refused

Unlike standard CTR decisions, a refusal of Section 13A(1)(c) discretionary relief cannot be appealed to the Valuation Tribunal for England. The challenge route is judicial review in the High Court, which is a last resort requiring specialist legal advice.

However, you can reapply if your circumstances change. A new crisis event, a benefit reduction, or a medical diagnosis that increases costs can all form the basis of a fresh application.

For structured guidance on assembling a hardship application, income and expenditure frameworks, and evidence checklists, see the Sandwell Council Tax Reduction guide.

If you're in council tax debt, contact StepChange (0800 138 1111) or National Debtline (0808 808 4000) for free advice before applying.

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