Can a council hardship fund help with Council Tax?
Many councils run hardship funds and crisis support that can help with Council Tax or related essential costs when you are struggling. These are discretionary and vary by area. You apply through your council, usually explaining the crisis and what you need.
See everything you may qualify for — benefits, grants, reductions and reliefs — in about 3 minutes. Free to check.
Check what you're owed →Hardship support sits alongside the formal Council Tax schemes. It can take the form of a one-off award against your Council Tax account, help with essential living costs that frees up money for the bill, or local welfare assistance for emergencies such as losing your income or fleeing harm.
Because these funds are local and discretionary, the names, criteria and amounts differ widely between councils, and some funds are limited or time-restricted. The only way to know what is available is to ask your own council what hardship or welfare support it currently offers.
Hardship help works best combined with the standard routes, such as Council Tax Reduction and the Section 13A discretionary power, rather than instead of them. So it is sensible to apply for everything you may qualify for, including wider benefits and grants, at the same time.
How to apply for hardship help with Council Tax
- Ask your council. Find out what hardship fund or welfare assistance your council runs and its criteria.
- Explain the crisis. Set out what has happened and the help you need to manage your Council Tax and essentials.
- Provide evidence. Supply proof of your income, outgoings and circumstances as requested.
- Apply for everything. Combine the request with Council Tax Reduction, Section 13A and any benefits you qualify for.
Frequently asked questions
- What can a hardship fund cover?
- Depending on the council, it may give a one-off award against your Council Tax, help with essential costs, or emergency welfare assistance in a crisis.
- Is every council the same?
- No. Hardship and welfare support is local and discretionary, so the names, rules and amounts vary, and some funds are limited.
- Can I get hardship help and a reduction?
- Yes. Hardship support is meant to work alongside the standard Council Tax Reduction and Section 13A routes, not instead of them.
- How do I find out what is available?
- Contact your council and ask what hardship fund, crisis support or local welfare assistance it currently offers and how to apply.
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.