Croydon Council is asking residents and partners for their views on the future of its Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme.

The consultation, which has now launched, asks for feedback on a range of options being considered as part of the Council’s annual review of the scheme.

CTS helps people on low incomes pay their council tax. In 2025/26, around £39m was awarded through the scheme, including approximately £25m to working-age residents.

Each year, the Council is required by law to review its CTS scheme and decide whether to keep the current arrangements or make changes. As part of the best value intervention that the Council is under, it must also review all spending within its control as part of efforts to improve its financial situation.

Changes the Council is considering are around support provided to working-age residents. Support for pensioners is set by national Government and cannot be changed by the Council.

Before any decisions are made on any changes to the scheme, the Council wants to hear views on a range of options. These include reviewing the level of support available to different groups of residents, changing how income and savings are considered, updating eligibility criteria, and considering changes to property band caps. The consultation also includes proposals to provide additional support for Armed Forces veterans and those impacted by any changes, and updates to some administrative rules.

Some of the options we are looking at would reduce the support available. However, we are not considering any changes that would leave support lower than the level provided by other London boroughs.

The Council must consider all aspects of the scheme, including reducing support for some disabled residents. Council Tax Support is not always the most effective support for people, so as part of the review the Council will be looking at the wider package of support that is available.

Following the consultation, recommendations for the future of the scheme will be considered by Full Council in February 2027. If approved, any changes would come into effect from 1 April 2027.

Residents can take part in the consultation by visiting: www.croydon.gov.uk/cts

The consultation will close at 11.59pm, Tuesday 10 November 2026.

“We know that many residents rely on Council Tax Support and we remain committed to helping those who need it most. However, we also have a responsibility to ensure the scheme remains fair, affordable and sustainable in the long term.

“No decisions have been made to proposed changes to the scheme. We want to hear directly from residents, community groups and other partners before any proposals are considered further.

“I would encourage anyone who may be affected to take part in the consultation and share their views.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon