Millions missing out on £1,300 a year by not claiming entitlement

Up to 2.6 million households are failing to take advantageof council tax supportaccording to Money Saving Expert. This scheme can reduce the amount of council tax a household is required to pay, with average savings of around £1,300 per year.

The exact amountthat can be deducted from a household's council tax bill through this support varies depending on their location, as each council operates its own scheme. However, it could potentially slash the bill by up to 100%, resulting in significant savings for low-income households struggling to get by.

Whether you rent or own your home, you may still be eligible for council tax support. However, factors such as your income, the number of people in your household, any other benefits you receive and your residency status can affect your eligibility.

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For instance, in the London borough of Camden, residents are offered a specific discount based on their weekly income and the number of children they have. This can range from a 65% reduction in their bill for those with children earning up to £221.59 per week, down to a 15% council tax discount for those earning between £548.46 and £623.25 per week.

Some people may also be able to stack other reductions on top of their council tax. A few MSE readers reported being able to secure the 25% single person discount in addition to a low-income reduction on their council tax bill.

There may also be different rules if you or your partner have already reached state pension age, according to Citizens Advice.

Whilst each local authority will have its own particular eligibility requirements, typically people who qualify for benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit and reside in England, Scotland or Wales may be entitled to the assistance.

The assistance isn't granted automatically, potentially leaving many people without support simply because they're unaware they need to apply or don't know the application process. Residents in England and Wales can locate their council's information on the Gov.uk website for further details, whilst those in Scotland must use the Mygov.scot service.

Those applying may need to provide evidence demonstrating their eligibility for this assistance, which could include proof of identity, earnings, rental or mortgage costs. People receiving the discount must notify the council of any circumstantial changes that might affect their eligibility.

Citizens Advice also suggests applying for the assistance as soon as you think you might qualify, even if you don't currently satisfy the eligibility requirements. The specialists explained: "If you're eligible for CTR, it's best to apply as soon as you can.

"You can apply early if you know when you're going to be eligible. If you apply early, you won't have to wait as long to get CTR when you become eligible."

Some people may be able to backdate their reduction, for instance, if they were unaware of their eligibility or had a valid reason for not applying sooner, such as illness. However, the rules and restrictions around this will vary depending on the local council.

Citizens Advice has advised that you should indicate on your application form if you think you might qualify for a backdated payment. They suggested: "The form might have a section about backdating - it's sometimes called a 'late application'. If there isn't a section about backdating or late applications, write on a separate piece of paper and send it to the council with your form."