Council Tax support for residents on low income

East Staffordshire Borough Council is working to ensure that the Council Tax Hardship Fund, announced by Government in its March budget, will support over 3,800 residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

In the latest budget, the Government announced that the £500 million Hardship Fund will provide support, including council tax relief, in 2020 to 2021 to those who need it most.

East Staffordshire Borough Council will be using the majority of this hardship fund to provide residents, who are of working age and already receive council tax support, with up to £150 off their council tax bills over the 2020 to 2021 financial year.

The Council will apply this reduction automatically to all households that are eligible for the fund as of 1st April 2020.

A portion of the government funding will be set aside for any new council tax support claims it may receive.

Councillor Ray Faulkner, Deputy Leader for Environment and Housing, said: “This is a difficult time for all our residents but I’m pleased to see that the Council Tax Hardship Fund will be providing financial assistance to those who need it most.”

In addition to the hardship fund, households on a low income may be eligible for a reduction in the council tax they pay through the Council’s existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Households that are not eligible for support, who pay their council tax instalments over ten months, can extend their payments to twelve months in the financial year. Please call 01283 508030 or email council.tax@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk to extend your instalment payments.

For more information on the Council Tax Hardship Fund and ESBC services affected by the coronavirus, please go to www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/emergency-planning/coronavirus/esbc-services