Medway Council Confirms Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27

Medway Council’s Full Council recently considered the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the 2026/27 financial year following Cabinet discussion on 10 February 2026. The scheme, which becomes effective from 1 April 2026, provides financial support to residents on low incomes to help with their Council Tax bills.

The scheme continues to offer a maximum discount of 65 per cent for working age households, whilst pensioners remain eligible for up to 100 per cent discount. This represents no change to the maximum support available under the scheme.

The council operates a banded income grid system designed to simplify the application process and make it easier for residents to understand their entitlements. Under this system, the amount of reduction offered depends solely on a household’s weekly income, rather than a traditional means test. The reduction ranges from 65 per cent at the lowest income band down to zero per cent at higher income levels.

To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a low income, hold less than £16,000 in savings and capital (unless they receive Pension Credit), and be liable for Council Tax at their property. Full-time students and those treated as persons from abroad are not eligible.

The application process requires residents to provide proof of identity, details of income and savings, and information about their household circumstances. The council has made provisions for residents to upload evidence online, streamlining the application process.

The 2026/27 scheme follows changes made in 2022, which were designed to simplify the scheme for residents, provide greater stability for those receiving support, and improve integration with the Universal Credit system. The council stated that these modifications would help manage increasing demands whilst reducing administrative costs.

For non-dependent household members, the council applies a £10 deduction per week for those who are working and £5 for those who are not, though certain exemptions apply for students and those receiving certain benefits.

Capital limits remain at £16,000, above which residents will not be entitled to claim. For those with savings between £6,000 and £16,000, the council assumes a weekly income of £1 for every £250 held above £6,000.

Key Takeaways

• Medway Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27 provides up to 65 per cent support for working age households and 100 per cent for pensioners
• The scheme uses a simplified banded income grid system based on weekly income rather than a traditional means test
• Applications require proof of identity, income details, and household information, with online evidence upload available

What This Means for Kent Residents

Medway residents on low incomes should review whether they qualify for support under the scheme. Eligible households are encouraged to apply before the scheme takes effect on 1 April 2026. Those with questions about their eligibility or the application process can access full details through Medway Council’s website, where further guidance and the income bands table are available. The simplified banded income system means residents can quickly check their potential entitlement without navigating complex calculations.