Burnley Council has introduced additional financial support for eligible residents where a member of their household has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
The support, which has been available since 1st April 2026, means council tax payers who are in receipt of Council Tax Support can apply for a further reduction where they, their partner or a dependent has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Where the criteria is met, a discount will be applied to reduce the household’s council tax liability to nil, providing extra support at an extremely difficult time.
Councillor Afrasiab Anwar, Leader of Burnley Council, said:
“This additional support is designed to help residents and families facing an incredibly difficult diagnosis.
“At a time when people should be able to focus on what matters most, we want to make sure eligible households are not having to worry about paying council tax.
“This is a compassionate and practical step to support people in Burnley who are living with terminal illness, as well as their families and carers.”
The move follows calls from end of life care charity Marie Curie for councils across England to review the financial support they offer people with a terminal illness and their loved ones.
The charity’s ‘Dying in Poverty’ report says around 280 people die in poverty every day in the UK.
To qualify for the reduction, applicants must be in receipt of Council Tax Support and have received a diagnosis of terminal illness for themselves, their partner or a dependant living in the household.
Residents can apply by emailing benefits@burnley.gov.uk to request support under the terminal illness rules. They will also need to provide an SR1 form, which confirms a terminal illness.
Further information about SR1 forms is available from Marie Curie at: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/information/money-and-work/sr1-form#get
Toby North, Head of Public Affairs at Marie Curie, said:
“We’re delighted that Burnley Council is providing specific support with council tax to people facing a terminal illness.
“We now urgently need more councils to adopt a similar approach, to help more people live out their last months, weeks and days without needing to worry about their bills.
“We hope to expand our campaign further, with more councils across England following suit to ease the financial burden on people at the end of life.”
Marie Curie says costs linked to terminal illness can include powering at-home medical devices, having the heating on for longer or at a higher temperature to help with symptom management, and other additional household expenses.
For support from Marie Curie, visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.
Post expires at 2:58pm on Saturday August 22nd, 2026