If you’re in a difficult financial situation, you may be entitled to a Discretionary Council Tax Reduction.
The council covers the full cost of this, therefore applications will be considered against the needs of all local tax payers. It may be decided that other support is more suitable, including:
- Revised/extended payment plans
- Other welfare rights assistance
- Budgeting support
- Applying a Discretionary Housing Payment.
Before you apply
Wigan Council has a local Council Tax Reduction scheme which provides support through a discount, to those in financial need. Applicants are expected to have applied and qualified for Council Tax Reduction before making an application for a discretionary reduction.
You will also be expected, where possible, to be taking action to alleviate your current financial hardship, including:
- Maximising income by seeking new or additional employment opportunities or working additional hours
- Downsizing (moving to a property which is more affordable)
- Reducing outgoings
- Maximising benefit entitlement.
Further budgeting, money and debt advice is available on our money advice page.
What will I need?
- Copies of your bank statements from the last 2 months for all accounts you and your partner hold
- Any other information to support your application such as rental arrears statements.
Please note, an application for a Discretionary Reduction does not give you the right to withhold payments, you must continue to pay your current instalments as per the most recent bill issued in order to avoid further recovery action.
By falsely declaring circumstances or providing false statements or evidence with a view to claiming a discretionary discount, you may be committing an offence under the Fraud Act 2006. The Council will investigate all allegations of fraud and may take criminal action or apply other sanctions.
How do I apply?
To make an application you will need to complete our online form: