Help with Council Tax due to Coronavirus measures

Updated 15 July

Has your income dropped?

If you have lost your job or are on reduced hours we might be able to help pay your Council Tax.

Help can be given by applying for Local Council Tax Support. For more information and to see if you qualify please visit our Local Council Tax Support page.

£150 Hardship Payment

If you are already getting Local Council Tax Support and are 'working age' we will be reducing your bill by up to £150 this year. You do not need to apply for this. If you qualify, you will receive a new bill once any award is made. For more information, see our Hardship Payment page.

Short-term discretionary payment

If you are affected by the Local Council Tax Support Scheme and are struggling financially, you may be able to get some additional help through a short-term discretionary payment. For more details and to apply, see our page on What is a discretionary payment? 

We are also looking at other ways we can help financially and will publish details here as soon as we can.

Still having difficulty paying your Council Tax?

If you are still having difficulty making your Council Tax payments, please contact the Council Tax team to discuss these. Telephone 0330 1230081 or email Council Tax

When emailing please put 'DIFFICULTIES' and your Council Tax reference number (if known) in the subject line. 

Please explain your specific difficulties, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Direct Debit

If your bank has rejected your direct debit payment, we will send you a revised bill with new instalments that include the amount of the missed payment. If you cannot pay the new instalments, please contact our Council Tax team by emailing Council Tax or calling 0330 1230081.

If you are emailing, please put 'DIFFICULTIES' and your Council Tax reference number (if known) in the subject line of your email.

Please pay on time

We are working hard to provide support and services for those in need, which at the moment is a huge task. Please help us to help others by paying your Council Tax on time. 

For more general debt advice, please go to the Citizens Advice website or Money Advice Service website.

Other help

If you need help with rent or other living expenses, then you may qualify for Universal Credit or other state benefits. These are usually provided by the Department for Work and Pensions,  Details of how to apply can be found on the government's benefits page.