Reduce your bill

A discretionary discount is available to care leavers aged between 18 and 24 years. It will cease on the care leaver's 25th birthday. 

To apply a care leaver must have been in care on or after their 16th birthday and for at least 13 weeks (continuous or not) anytime from the age of 14.

Discounts will be awarded as follows:

• Sole occupancy - a 100% discount, (75% discretionary and 25% sole occupancy discount) will be available to care leavers where they are the only adult, aged 18 years or over, living in a property.
• Joint occupancy - a 25% discount will apply to Council Tax accounts where a single occupancy discount or similar relief could have been applied, had the care leaver not been resident.

Applicants will be required to complete a Care Leaver's discount application (PDF) [337KB]  form. The application will be verified with information held by the the relevant local authority.  Completed forms should be emailed to ctaxenquiries@sthelens.gov.uk.

The discount will normally apply from the date of application.  Backdate requests will be considered based on an applicant's individual circumstances including the level of any Council Tax arrears.

Please refer to Council Tax discretionary discount guidelines for further information.