Reduction for care leavers
The care leaver reduction scheme aims to support care leavers, up to the age of 25 years old, to help manage their Council Tax.
A care leaver is defined as a person:
- Aged up to 25 years old
- Who has been looked after by a local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 (it didn't have to all be in one go, but the time in care must add up to 13 weeks)
- Whose time in the care of a local authority ended on or after their 16th birthday
“Looked after”, or “in the care of a local authority” includes at home under a care order, in foster care, in local authority accommodation, or under kinship care.
This currently applies to care leavers who have the Council Tax bill in their name, and from 1 April 2023 where you are a second adult in a property but not the billpayer. Check your Council Tax bill to see whether we have automatically applied this discount. If this hasn’t happened and you believe you are eligible for the reduction, you can apply online.
Apply for a care leaver reduction
You can apply using our online form:
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself a couple of minutes to fill in the form.
Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
We will review your application and let you know of our decision, in writing, within 21 days. If we do award you the discount, you will receive an amended bill 15 working days after applying.
To apply, you will need to tell us:
How long you were in care
When you were in care
Which local authority you were with for your care
Details about where you are currently living in Southampton
Details of anyone living with you, including the date they moved in
Change in circumstances
If you are not a care leaver but a care leaver moves in with you, please let us know about your change in circumstances:
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself a couple of minutes to fill in the form.
