Residents living with a terminal illness can now get help with their Council Tax bills under a new scheme designed to ease financial pressures at the end of life.
Eligible households can receive up to 100% relief from their Council Tax bill, helping residents and their families focus on what matters most at an incredibly difficult time.
The scheme is available where the person responsible for paying Council Tax, or someone in their household, has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and has a life expectancy of 12 months or less.
It is primarily available to households eligible for Council Tax Support. In exceptional circumstances, households above the usual income or savings thresholds may also be considered if they are experiencing financial hardship.
A terminal diagnosis can have a significant impact on household finances, with people potentially facing a loss of income alongside increased costs such as energy, transport, and medical equipment.
End-of-life charity Marie Curie has been campaigning for councils across the country to offer Council Tax relief to people living with a terminal illness. Its research found that being in the last year of life is associated with a 32% greater risk of poverty for working-age people and a 23% greater risk for pensioners.
Cllr Tina Amadi, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Cost-of-Living Support, said:
“A terminal diagnosis can turn a family’s life upside down, with money worries adding another burden when their focus should be on themselves and their loved ones.
“No one facing the end of their life should have the added worry of how they are going to pay their Council Tax bill. This scheme will help ease some of that strain and give families one less thing to worry about.”
Cllr Gwen Grahl, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said:
“We want to use the resources available to us in a targeted and compassionate way, making a meaningful difference to residents facing some of the greatest challenges.
“By providing Council Tax relief, we can offer practical help to terminally ill residents and their families when it matters most.”
