If you can’t afford to pay your Council Tax, you can claim for Council Tax Support (CTS) which may meet some or all of your Council Tax bill payments.  

Please note that for 2025/26 the CTS scheme will provide reduced support with a maximum award of 63% for all working age applicants. This is a reduction from the previous maximum award of 85%. This means you will have a higher Council Tax bill to pay after any CTS discount is applied. 

Pension age applicants can continue to receive up to a maximum award of 100%. 

More information can be found on our Council Tax support scheme page. 

Discretionary Council Tax Relief (DCTR) 

If you are in receipt of CTS and are still struggling to pay your Council Tax bill you may be eligible for Discretionary Council Tax Relief. Some residents may struggle to meet their obligation to pay their Council Tax due to their current circumstances which may directly relate to their financial circumstances. 

The DCTR fund is available for the Council to assist these applicants who are facing ‘exceptional hardship’ and may need additional support to meet their Council Tax costs.

Further information on DCTR and other financial support such as the Household Support Fund which can help residents with their cost of living can be found on our discretionary hardship support pages. 

Other help

You could apply for a Council Tax discount or exemption if you meet certain criteria. This could reduce your Council Tax bill. 

You can also choose to spread your Council Tax instalments over 12 months rather than 10. This will reduce your monthly amount you have to pay but will mean you have to pay every month in the year. To request this please tell us by completing our online form . 

Financial help and budgeting advice

Our money advice and debt page  has more further information on local services on offer.  You can also access free and independent debt advice through the government sponsored Money Helper website. 

BD Money

The BD Money (Barking and Dagenham Money) website offers free, expert money advice.  They also offer a Debt Consolidation Loan which can help with debts such as credit cards.

We’re here to help you

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are unable to make your Council Tax payment on time, we will always try do what we can to help you.