What is a Section 13A discretionary Council Tax reduction?
Section 13A gives every council the power to reduce or even cancel a Council Tax bill where someone is in genuine financial hardship, on a discretionary basis. It is separate from the standard means-tested reduction. You apply directly, explaining your circumstances and why you cannot pay.
See everything you may qualify for — benefits, grants, reductions and reliefs — in about 3 minutes. Free to check.
Check what you're owed →This power exists so that councils can help in exceptional situations that the normal rules do not cover, or where standard support is not enough. It can be used after a crisis, an unexpected loss of income, or where paying in full would cause real hardship.
Because it is discretionary, there is no fixed entitlement and no national formula. Each council decides case by case, weighing your income, outgoings, debts and the reason for your difficulty. A strong application sets out clearly what has happened and why help is needed now.
A Section 13A reduction can run alongside the standard Council Tax Reduction scheme, so you can hold one while asking for the other. It is most effective as part of a wider plan, so it is sensible to check all benefits, reductions and hardship support you might be entitled to at the same time.
How to apply for a Section 13A reduction
- Set out your situation. Write down what has caused your hardship and your current income and outgoings.
- Gather evidence. Collect proof of income, debts and essential costs to support your case.
- Apply to the council. Ask the council for a Section 13A discretionary reduction and submit your explanation and evidence.
- Combine with other help. Apply for standard Council Tax Reduction and any hardship support alongside.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Section 13A used for?
- It lets a council reduce or cancel Council Tax in cases of genuine hardship or exceptional circumstances that the standard rules do not adequately cover.
- Is it the same as Council Tax Reduction?
- No. Council Tax Reduction is the standard means-tested scheme, while Section 13A is a separate discretionary power that can be used on top.
- Will I definitely get it?
- Not automatically. It is discretionary, so the council judges each case on its facts, looking at your income, outgoings and the reason for your difficulty.
- How do I make a strong application?
- Explain clearly what has changed, set out your income and essential outgoings, and show why paying the full bill would cause hardship.
MoneyFinder is an independent sign-posting service that helps you find financial support you may be entitled to. We are not a government body and do not provide financial advice. Figures are taken from the official sources cited above and were correct when last checked — always confirm current details on the linked GOV.UK pages.