Second Adult Rebate (reduction for Council Tax)

Who can claim?

If you are the only person living in your home who is liable to pay the Council Tax but share your home with one or more persons who are over 18 and they:

• Are not paying you rent for living in your home
• Do not have to pay the Council Tax
• They are not your spouse or partner
• Have a low gross income

...you can claim Second Adult Rebate in respect of them - as long as they are not in one of the 'disregarded' groups (Council Tax Discounts).

As of 1 April 2013, Second Adult Rebate is only available to pensioners and those who are considered vulnerable.

Pensioner claims

You are treated as a Pensioner if:

• You or your partner have reached the qualifying age for State Pension Credit; and
• Neither you or your partner are claiming:
  • Income Support
  • Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related)
  • Universal Credit

Vulnerable person claims

You will be considered as vulnerable if you are of working age and your application includes any of the following:

• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and it’s replacement Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit (long term rate)
• Disability element of Working Tax Credits
• Dependent child who receives DLA or is registered blind
• Carers Allowance
• If you qualify for Council Tax disabled band relief
• War Disablement Pension
• War Widows Pension

How to claim

To make a claim you will need to complete one of our application forms and provide us with the gross income details of all other adults who live with you. Go to make a new claim for the application form and more details on what information to provide.

You do not have to supply us with details of your own income or savings; however, if you do we will also do a calculation to see if you are entitled to Main Council Tax Reduction based on your details.

Once the calculation for Main Council Tax Reduction and Second Adult Rebate have been made we will compare the amounts of benefit (if any) and award you the greater entitlement (please note that you are not entitled to both).

How is Second Adult Rebate calculated?

• Second Adult Rebate is calculated using the combined gross income of all second adults. It is awarded on a percentage basis of your Council Tax bill, after any transitional reductions that you are entitled to, are deducted.
• If all second adults are in receipt of Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (income based), state Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) you will be entitled to a 25% discount from your Council Tax bill.
• If all second adults have a combined gross income of less than £183 each per week, you will be entitled to a 15% discount from your Council Tax bill.
• If all second adults have a combined gross income of between £183 and £239 each per week, you will be entitled to a 7.5% discount from your Council Tax bill.
• If all second adults have a combined gross income that is more than £239 each per week, you will not be entitled to a Second Adult Rebate.

Please be aware that any Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income based), Attendance Allowance, and/or Disability Living Allowance, received by any second adult will be disregarded in the calculation of the second adults’ gross income.