Council Tax Reduction Scheme
Published: 09 February 2026
Folkestone and Hythe District Council have released information regarding a Scheme Supporting Those Who Need It Most, to assist with Council Tax payments.
An
improved council tax reduction scheme which will further help working age,
low-income households will come into effect in April.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council developed a revised approach – offering up to 100% support – in response to the rise in the cost of living and the withdrawal of incentive funding by Kent County Council.
The following assistance will automatically be introduced for eligible households at the start of the 2026/27 financial year:
- Band one: 100% support, increased from 75%
- Band two: 75% support, increased from 55%
- Band three: 50% support, increased from 35%
- Band four: 25% support, increased from 22%
Cllr Tim Prater, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Governance, said: “This improved council tax reduction scheme will give more help to the residents who need it most. Many of the people who will benefit are already working but still need extra assistance just to survive.
“When we introduced the second homes premium last year, we said we wanted any extra money to support the most vulnerable households in the district – this change does exactly that.”
The changes bring these reductions in line with those offered to those of pension age by central government.
Nearly 6,000 working age households in the district currently receive council tax reduction. All will receive correspondence explaining the changes in their annual bill.