Wiltshire Council is proposing a change to the way it supports working-age residents on Universal Credit with their Council Tax, aiming to simplify the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
Under the current system, support levels can change each month in line with minor income fluctuations, making it confusing for residents and complex for the council to manage.
From April 2026, the council plans to only adjust Council Tax support when there is a significant change in someone’s circumstances.
This could include moving house, starting or leaving a job, a notable change in income, or someone moving in or out of the household.
If introduced, affected residents will be expected to inform the council of these specific changes.
The proposal only applies to working-age individuals under the age of 66 receiving Council Tax Reduction. Those of pensionable age will not be affected by the change.
Cllr Gavin Grant, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “We want to make it easier for people to understand and manage the support they receive with their Council Tax.
“By focusing updates on significant changes rather than monthly fluctuations, we can reduce confusion and make the system fairer and more transparent.
“This proposal is about making things simpler for working-age residents while continuing to provide vital support where it’s needed most.”
Wiltshire Council is now seeking feedback on the proposal. Residents are invited to complete an online survey on the Wiltshire Council website, which is open from 6 October to 31 October.
