Council tax reductions could be focussed more on the most needy, depending on the outcome of a survey of Salford residents.
Disabled residents, carers and other households on the lowest incomes are most likely to be affected by any changes to the scheme.
Salford Council wants to know what the public thinks about potential changes to its Council Tax Reduction scheme, which helps low-income households pay their council tax bills.
Council Tax Reduction is one of the council’s largest sources of financial support for residents struggling with the cost of living. It reduces council tax bills for households on low incomes and is reviewed each yaer.
After introducing an income-banded version of the scheme earlier this year, the council has proposed further changes to focus support on those most in need.
Councillor Jack Youd, lead member for finance, support services and regeneration, said the scheme was central to the council’s anti-poverty approach.
He said: “Council Tax Reduction is a vital component of the anti-poverty agenda and helps alleviate some of the biggest financial pressures, particularly for vulnerable households.
“Based on what we’ve learned from our new income banded scheme, we’ve identified three additional changes to better support the lowest income households in the city.”
One of the proposals would see Universal Credit transitional protection payments removed from Council Tax Reduction assessments. This would benefit some disabled residents who moved from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit and lost access to the Severe Disability Premium. While transitional payments initially prevent an immediate drop in income, the council said many claimants experience a gradual reduction in real-terms support as these payments taper over time.
Another proposal would disregard 45 per cent of state or occupational pension income when calculating Council Tax Reduction entitlement. The council said this would support mixed-age couples where a working-age partner is unable to work due to caring responsibilities for a pension-age partner who receives disability benefits, a group that can currently fall through the gaps of the existing system.
The council is also proposing to retain its transitional protection scheme for residents who have not yet moved to Universal Credit. Although most households are expected to transition during 2025 and 2026, the council said keeping the scheme in place would ensure continued support where there are delays or barriers to claiming.
Its BetterOff service would work with affected residents to help them access benefits, training and employment support where appropriate.
Residents can share their views by completing an online survey before Thursday 1 January 2026, with responses informing the council’s final decision ahead of implementation next year.
Any changes approved following the consultation would come into force from 1 April 2026.
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