If you or someone who lives with you is an apprentice or a youth trainee, you may be entitled to a 25% discount off your Council Tax.
If there are only apprentices and trainees at a property there is a 50% discount.
In limited circumstances, some school-leavers can also qualify for a 25% discount.
Who counts as an apprentice?
Someone who is:
- employed for the purpose of learning a trade, business or profession;
- undertaking a programme of training leading to an accredited qualification; and
- receiving a salary or allowance (or both) of no more than £195 a week before tax and insurance.
We will ask for proof of your apprenticeship agreement.
Who counts as a Youth trainee?
Youth trainees are under 25. They also have an individual training plan funded by the Skills Funding Agency or Young People's Learning Agency.
We will ask for proof of your training plan.
School leavers
We may be able to make a reduction in Council Tax if there is someone in the property who is:
- 18 years old, has just left school or college and someone is receiving Child Benefit for them; or
- they are under 20 and left school or college on or after 1 May and was doing a 'qualifying course'* until that date. In this case, a reduction can only last until 31 October in the same year.
*A 'qualifying course' is one that lasts for three months or more and involves at least 12 hours' study a week for any qualification up to 'A' level
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Sending us proof
Enclose any evidence of your training plan or apprenticeship agreement with your form and make sure your name and address is on them.
After you have applied for money off your Council Tax
While we're looking at your application, please keep paying your current Council Tax bill as usual.
What happens next:
- If your application is successful, we will apply the discount to your account and send you a new bill.
- We will check your entitlement regularly. If you don't reply to our review letters, your discount may be removed.
Keep Us Updated:
- Please tell us about any changes in your circumstances within 21 days. Changes could affect your discount. If you don't let us know, you could be fined or taken to court.
- Its quick and easy to report a change online:
Report a change in circumstances or call us on 0300 1234 141