Help for those struggling to pay their Council Tax bills
Uttlesford District Council has a new financial assistance scheme to help residents who are struggling to pay their 2023/24 Council Tax bill due to the cost-of-living crisis.
The council is aware that the increased costs to every aspect of daily life is affecting more and more residents and has set up a 'Cost of Living Support Fund' to help those who are struggling financially in the short-term.
In order to qualify for help from the scheme, residents must be occupying a property within the district as their main home and be liable for the 2023/24 Council Tax bill. They must also provide supporting evidence of how their household has been negatively affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
The scheme will run from the 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
Full details and the online application form can be found at: www.uttlesford.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support-discount.
Meanwhile, the government has announced a package of support - known as the Council Tax Support Fund - to help the most vulnerable households with their Council Tax payments.
Uttlesford District Council will receive a payment of £84,546 for the main scheme to provide £25 direct payments to households that receive Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) for 2023/24. The council has discretion on the remaining funds and will provide all LCTS claimants with an additional top-up payment of £25.
Residents who are in receipt of LCTS do not need to contact the council as the reductions will be automatically applied to their Council Tax bill.
The council also has a small pot of funding - known as the Exceptional Hardship Fund - to further support vulnerable households with their bill. Details on how to apply are available at: www.uttlesford.gov.uk/ehf.
For those who do not have internet access, please contact the council on 01799 510510 or visit the Council Offices in Saffron Walden where officers will be able to provide assistance in making an application.
15 March 2023