Second Adult Rebate

Second Adult Rebate is a type of Council Tax Benefit. Second Adult Rebate is to help those who would have received a discount if other people of 18 years or over were not living in their home - 'second adults'.

You cannot claim Second Adult Rebate if you have a partner unless you or your partner are discounted for Council Tax purposes i.e. a student, a student nurse, an apprentice, a youth trainee, severely mentally impaired, in hospital or in prison.

Second Adult Rebate is not worked out on your or any partners income, but on the incomes of the second adults who live in your home. To qualify the gross income of all second adults must be less than £235.00 per week. The income of any second adults on Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit, or who are discounted for Council Tax purposes, is not taken into account.

Rates of Second Adult Rebate
If all the other adults receive Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit, rebate will be 25% of the council tax charged.

If the gross income of the other adults is less than £180.00 rebate will be 15% of the council tax charge.

If the gross income of the other adults is £180.00 up to £234.99 rebate will be 7.5% of the council tax charge.

Who cannot claim Second Adult Rebate?

A couple who have no other people living in their home
A single person who is liable for Council Tax and has a boarder or sub-tenant living in the property
A couple if neither partner is disregarded for Council Tax purposes (see examples above).
Joint owner or tenant living in the property

How do I claim?
The person liable for the Council Tax bill and not the second adult must claim. Call our helpline (01642) 393829 to claim.

If a claim is made for main Council Tax Benefit we will automatically calculate both Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate and pay whichever is the highest.

If I qualify, when will Second Adult Rebate start?
Second Adult Rebate will normally be paid from the Monday following the date the application form is received by us. Backdating of the claim can only be considered if continuous 'good cause' can be shown for not making a claim earlier. The request for backdated Second Adult Rebate must;

be made in writing,
give reasons for the delay in applying, and
provide details and proof of the income and capital of the second adults for the period concerned.

If I qualify, how will Second Adult Rebate be paid?
We will take Second Adult Rebate off your Council Tax bill for the year to reduce the amount you have to pay. We will send a letter to you to tell you of the benefit awarded. A revised Council Tax bill will be issued shortly after your benefit letter to explain what your new payments will be.

Reporting Changes
Once awarded Second Adult Rebate you must tell us of any changes that affect your benefit, such as;