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Council tax-second adult rebate

This is help for council taxpayers who do not have a partner but share their home with someone on a low income who is not a paying lodger.

Entitlement is not based on the council taxpayer’s income, but that of the other adult(s) in the property. They are known as second adults.

You may still be able to claim second adult rebate if you have a partner, but they have to be a disregarded person under the council tax regulations.

What is a disregarded person?

A disregarded person under council tax is:

  • under age 18;
  • an education leaver under 20
  • a full-time student;
  • a youth training trainee under 25;
  • an apprentice on NCVQ/SVEC courses;
  • a carer;
  • severely mentally impaired;
  • in prison or another form of detention;
  • someone who normally lives elsewhere;
  • a member of a religious community;
  • a diplomat and a member of international bodies or of visiting forces.

Who would be called a second adult?

Normally a second adult would be anyone who is 18 years or older, lives in the property with the council taxpayer, and considers it their home.

This could be:

  • grown-up children who have left school;
  • parents;
  • friends;
  • relatives.

How much second adult rebate can I get?

The amount you get depends on the total gross income of the second adults.

If there is more than one second adult in the property their gross income is added together to work out how much you will get. If your second adults have a gross income of less than £228 per week you may be entitled to a rebate.

The highest amount is 100 per cent of the council tax due on the property.

To qualify for this you must be a full-time student and the person who has to pay the council tax and all your second adults must be receiving Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Job Seekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)

A 25 per cent reduction can be awarded if you are not a full-time student but your second adults are in receipt of the above benefits.

A 15 per cent reduction can be awarded if your second adult’s gross income is less than £175 a week.

A 7.5 per cent reduction can be awarded if your second adult’s gross income is between £175 and £227.99 a week.

How to claim

Claim forms can be obtained from the council’s contact points or by phoning Medway Council on 01634 332222 (Medway residents only).

Download the Second Adult Rebate leaflet (pdf 92KB).

To use this file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer, please use the advice page.

For more information contact us by telephone: 01634 306000 or by email: welfare.benefits@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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