Care leavers Council Tax discount

If you spent time in care as a child, for example in foster care, you may be eligible for a discount on your Council Tax bill.

Changes to the Care Leavers Council Tax discount

From 1 April 2024, the Care Leavers Council Tax Discount will only be applicable to support Care Leavers, liable for Council Tax, where Croydon is the corporate parent. This means it only applies to young people who were in care, for example, in foster care, in Croydon.

For Care Leavers placed by another Local Authority, the discount does not apply, and that Local Authority should provide support to their Care Leavers as they have corporate parenting responsibilities. Please contact your Local Authority for more information.

Care leavers Council Tax discount

If you spent time in care as a child in Croydon, for example in foster care, you may be eligible for a discount on your Council Tax bill.

The council supports young people leaving its care by offering a 100% discount on the amount of Council Tax they pay, until the day before the charge payer's 25th birthday.

The discount is applied after any national discounts and or exemptions have been applied. For example, if you are entitled to 25% single occupier discount you will get that first and the remaining 75% would be covered by the care leaver discount.

Who is a care leaver

A care leaver is defined as any adult who spent time in care as a child (under the age of 18). Such care could be in foster care, residential care (mainly children’s homes), or other arrangements outside the immediate or extended family.

A discount is available from any period from 1st April 2018 where the care leaver is liable for Council Tax.

Where the care leaver resides at a property of multiple occupation (HMO) the discount does not apply and the Landlord will be liable to pay the Council Tax.

Foster carers

There is no Council Tax reduction for foster carers with:

  • children under 18 in their care
  • a Croydon care leaver aged 18 to 24, living with them under a Staying Put agreement

Other support and more information

Foster carers with a Croydon care leaver aged 18 to 24, living with them under a Staying Put agreement, can receive support towards Council Tax from Children Services. Please contact them directly for more information.

See the Foster for Croydon support page. 

Read more on fees and allowances for foster carers. 

Apply for the care leavers' discount 

To apply, please email croyctax@croydon.gov.uk with the following documents:

  • evidence confirming that you were a former looked after child
  • a copy of your current tenancy agreement