Council Tax Support has changed from April 2024
Council Tax Support (also known as Council Tax Reduction) provides financial assistance with Council Tax bills for residents who are on a low income.
From 1 April 2024 we have introduced a new scheme for working age customers only. If you are on a low income and have less than £6,000 in savings, you may be eligible.
There is NO change for Pension Age Customers.
How the new scheme works
We compare the weekly income of your household to a range of income bands. Then a percentage reduction is applied to your council tax charge.
The scheme offers those on the lowest incomes up to 100% discount on their council tax bill.
If your income changes but it remains in the same income band, the amount of support you get will not change.
The amount of support will change if the income you receive goes up or down and moves you into another income band. The amount of support could also change if your household changes.
If you are working age and already receiving Council Tax Support your award has automatically been recalculated under the new scheme from 1 April 2024.
See more information about how your award has been calculated.
Community Governance review boundary changes
There are some important changes from 1 April 2024 that may affect your Council Tax bill.
During 2021 Dorset Council undertook a widely publicised, full-scale consultation on the electoral arrangements for all areas of Dorset. This review has been implemented and will in some cases, change the number of councillors in an area, and in others will affect the boundary of an area.
What this means for Council Tax bills for 2024 to 2025
As the physical boundary of some areas has changed a number of properties have moved from their existing parish council into the neighbouring town or parish council. Some parish councils have merged or formed group parishes.
You may notice that the name of the parish or town council on your bill has changed. This is because your property is now in a different electoral area as a result of the review.
In some cases, the parish percentage element shown on the bill for 2024 to 2025 will be displayed as 0.0% along with the appropriate parish precepting amount for your band. The 0.0% is shown because there is no direct comparison as the parish in the new format did not previously exist.
In other cases, the parish percentage element shown on the bill will be the true figure and amount of the existing town or parish council that your property has joined. For example, some areas that were on the outskirts of Bridport are now considered part of the Bridport Town Council area. For these properties the Bridport Town Council percentage comparison will be shown on the bill.
You have been charged the precept of whichever parish or town council name is shown on your bill. See a full list of the charges for each Council Tax band in each area.
See which areas are affected and find more information.
For enquiries relating to increases in your bill due to a boundary change, contact your new parish or town council.