Discretionary Payments

For more information, visit the Parkinson’s UK website (last updated July 2025).

You might be able to get a Discretionary Payment if you’re finding it difficult to pay your Council Tax bill.

Discretionary Payments are means-tested (they take into account how much income and savings you have). You’ll be asked for a lot of evidence to prove you can’t afford your Council Tax bill.

Discretionary Payments are a short-term solution, and can cover up to a year.

Each council has complete discretion (they can decide) on who they offer this support to, and how to offer this support. Each council has its own way of deciding who is given a payment.

If you’ve been refused a Discretionary Payment and think the decision is wrong, you can always ask the council to look at its decision again.