Discretionary Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Your application is not just about applying for financial assistance, it is an opportunity to provide us with a full picture of your circumstances so we can see if there are other ways in which the difference between rent and benefit can be addressed. It's therefore important that you provide as much information as possible with your application.

Gather the required information and documentation ahead of completing the form.

You have 10 minutes to complete each page of the application form., after this the form will time out and you will need to restart. It's not possible to save a partially completed form, nor to retrieve information if the time-out period is reached.

You will need details of your household and your household income and expenditure before starting the form, as this information is required for all applications.

You'll need following information for your application:

• National Insurance Number
• Contact telephone number and email address
• details of why are you applying for a discretionary payment, and of any action you are taking to improve your situation
• if claiming Universal Credit, the date of your Universal Credit application and your monthly Housing Element award
• length of time at address
• details of rent paid
• names, dates of birth, relationship details and income for other household members
• details of any disabilities or health conditions for you and other household members
• Social Worker or Support Worker details
• details of any adaptations for the purposes of care needs to your home
• care details
• children and family circumstances
• current working arrangements

You'll need to provide household income details:

• wages, pension, benefits, maintenance, other
• savings, capital, investments, property, other

You'll also need to provide details of household expenditure:

• rent, mortgage, council tax, other
• utilities
• digital and phone
• insurance, maintenance payments
• child minding fees, children's activities, school meals and meals at work
• groceries, household items and toiletries
• clothing and shoes
• prescriptions, dental and glasses
• vehicle costs, bus fares, other travel and transport
• outstanding arrears or debts;
  • loans
  • credit cards
  • Catalogue debts

You'll need to provide the following evidence in support of your application and as proof of your detailed income and expenditure:

• 3 months' bank statements for all accounts you hold
• household income and expenditure information
• details of any plans you have to improve your circumstances

Bank statements can be provided as:

• scanned copies or clear photographs of paper statements
• screenshots of online statements
• PDF downloads

Apply for a Discretionary Payment

The form can be completed by:

• the person liable to pay the rent
• someone who's been nominated to act on their behalf

We may ask for additional information or evidence if necessary.

Offline applications for those who cannot use digital services

If you have friends or family members that can help you with the digital form, they can help you submit your details.

The form can be completed on a smartphone, but if you don't have access to a computer or smartphone, you're welcome to use the self-service computer facilities that are available at your local Explore Library or in our Customer Centre at West Offices in the city centre. You don't need to make an appointment to use these computers; library computers can be used for up to 2 hours a day for free with a library card number and PIN number.

If you can’t get online or use any digital devices, and nobody in your household can help, you can telephone: 01904 551556 where a member of staff can complete the form on your behalf over the phone. Make sure you have all the information required to hand, including details of income and circumstances. If you're unable to upload the documents needed to you can send the information by email: hsf@york.gov.uk or by post or in person to:

Citizens Advice York can provide support to complete an offline application. Telephone: 0808 278 7895. The helpline is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays and Christmas). Alternatively, request a call back or appointment. There are drop-ins on Mondays from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Citizens Advice York are located at:

No appointment is needed.

You can also get support from advice services across the city, local community hub, local food bank or through your Local Area Coordinator. See more information about available benefits advice.

Community support sessions are also available where people can get assistance to make applications. Live Well York's events calendar has details of local community outreach advice and support services.

Make sure you only give your personal details to someone you know you can trust, or through one of these recommended support services. There have been reports of scammers pretending to represent local councils to get access to bank details from customers.

Also see

• Household Support Fund
• Benefits
• Help with council tax for your household
• Council tax arrears