Household Support Fund
Councils across the country have been provided with funds under the Household Support Scheme to help vulnerable households with food and utilities.
We are providing assistance to the borough's most vulnerable residents using the Household Support Fund in a number of different ways.
Direct payments will be made to households with children that are already in receipt of a council tax reduction. This payment will be made in two parts; the first payment of £10 per child has already been made and the second payment of £65 per child will be made around the first two weeks of August 2022.
A direct payment of £75 per pensioner household (in receipt of council tax reduction) will be made around the first two weeks of August 2022.
If we already have your bank details we will pay this automatically so you do not need to contact us.
In addition to the above the council is using the Household Support Fund to offer the following schemes:
Funding has also been allocated to increase the assistance that can be offered to residents in the borough through local food banks and local partner organisations.
If you rent your property
Help with your rent payments
Working-age residents will need to make a claim for universal credit unless you’re in an exempt group. You can find more information on our benefits page.
If you are a pensioner you may be eligible to claim Housing Benefit.
Make an online Housing Benefit application
Council tax reduction (CTR)
You may be able to claim CTR if you have a low income and your savings are not above £6,000 for working age people, and not above £16,000 for pensioners. There are questions on the form that ask how you have been impacted and we will use this information to see how else we can support you during this difficult time.
Make a claim for CTR online
Trouble paying your council tax bill?
The government has announced that there will be extra help for council tax payers due to the COVID-19 situation. We appreciate that many residents will be affected and we intend to help those who are most in need.
If you are struggling making payments towards your account as a result of COVID-19, please contact us as there are a number of ways we can help you. We may need to understand your finances to offer the right support. We can:
- spread your instalments to March 2022
- make an arrangement that is affordable to you
For more information, if you are struggling to pay, see having trouble paying your council tax
Help with energy bills
Find out about grants and funding to help make your home warmer and reduce your bills.
Other housing and welfare assistance
We also have a housing and welfare service that can help with housing issues, food, gas, electric and other essentials. You can contact the team by email or by phone. For information on these services please visit the housing and welfare support service pages.