Local Council Tax Support scheme 2026-27

Monday 1 September to Sunday 28 September 2025

Each year Colchester City Council must decide whether to change the Council Tax Support scheme for working age applicants in its area. There are no changes for pension age applicants as they are part of the national scheme.

We are legally required to consult on any proposed changes to the scheme and are asking you to take part in this consultation so we can find out what you think about our proposed Council Tax Support Scheme, which would start from 01 April 2026. We want to:

• Increase the income levels used to determine the level of support awarded
• Reduce the period which an application for support can be backdated
• Make changes to the current ‘protected group’
• Make changes to the scheme to ignore any payments made through the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme

Information on the proposed changes can be found in the short 10-minute survey. Thank you for taking time to share your views.

Council Tax Support Scheme Survey

The survey will close on 28 September 2025.