Don’t Ignore your next Council Tax Bill

If you don’t currently have to pay Council Tax, this is changing soon and most people will have to pay something from 1 April 2026

Central Bedfordshire Council will be reducing the amount of help that their residents can get, through the Council Tax Support Scheme.  This is the benefit that credits the Council Tax account, so there is less of a bill to pay.  The current scheme means that residents that are on a low income, could get all of their Council Tax bill paid.  Sometimes our clients think they are exempt from Council Tax or don’t pay Council Tax and that’s usually because they have had these full credits dropping the bill down to zero.

From April 2026, this is changing.  Those that previously got 100% help, will soon only get 75% help with their bill.  This means that someone living alone in Leighton Buzzard in a band A property will now pay just over £25 per month to their council tax bill.  It would be higher if a couple lived there and where the council tax band is higher.

What to do next – Check your Council Tax bill for the new tax year

Does it show you have monthly instalments to pay?  If so, arrange to set up a direct debit to make sure that’s paid on time.  They are normally offered over 10 monthly payments, but you can ask the council to extend to over the full year, which will reduce the payment a little.

If you need any help finding out if this affects you or you want to know what benefits you might be entitled to, contact us on 01525 73878 or use our online form here.

Please note, the scheme for those of retirement age are not affected by this change, but anyone is welcome to get a benefit check or help with finances.