Help If You're Struggling To Pay Council Tax

MoneyHelper

Council Tax is a priority debt you must pay, as the consequences of falling behind can be worse than with other debts. If you’re worried about paying it, it’s important to have a plan.

What help is available?

Every council has a scheme to help you manage your payments so contact your local council as soon as possible. If you wait until you’ve missed payments, it might limit the help they can offer you.

When you contact them, explain your situation and see if it’s possible to work out a new payment plan before you fall behind. For example, you might have had an income setback because of coronavirus.

Here are some examples of support that might be offered:

  • Bill reductions if you’re on benefits – if your income drops or you find yourself out of work you can apply for Council Tax reduction discounts. These might be up to 100% off your Council Tax if you’re on certain benefits or a low income, but this depends on your local council. Everyone can apply, but not everyone is entitled. There are also exemptions for those with serious mental health conditions, but the eligibility might differ depending on the local authority that you live in. 
  • Extra help – because of coronavirus, this year the government has funded an extra £150 discount for people who qualify for Council Tax reductions. This will automatically apply to new claims, while existing claimants should have already received a new Council Tax bill to reflect this.

What happens if my financial situation gets worse?

As with many others, even if your finances are on track now, you could be affected over the coming months because of coronavirus. This might mean an uncertain future, especially if your income is affected – perhaps being on furlough, or you’re self-employed and have a fluctuating income.

You might need to review your finances so that you can cover your repayments. It’s useful to make a budget. If you have a little more going out than coming in, you may be able to rework how you’re spending your money.

Next steps if you have missed a payment

If you’ve already missed Council Tax payment, this means you’re in ‘arrears’. Contact your council as soon as possible to let them know that your income has changed, and that you’re struggling to cover your bills.

As well as coming to an arrangement on the money you owe them, you should also talk about future bills – especially if you think you may struggle to pay them. Make a budget, work out what money you have left after it, and ask the council for help.

When to get debt advice

If you’ve missed a payment, think you’re going to miss a payment or are juggling other debts and feel you need debt advice it’s important you pay them off in the right order as some are more urgent and some lenders have more power than others.

Useful resources

Mental Health & Money Advice is the first UK-wide online advice service designed to...
Advice NI, in association with The Good Things Foundation, is offering digital skills...
We run regular sessions in the GamCare online chatroom, where users can use live text...
GamCare recognises that gambling can be harmful to both physical and mental health, and...
No time for a phone call? You can now get in touch with MoneyHelper using Whatsapp. The...
Advice NI, a registered charity founded in 1995, exists to provide leadership and...
Advice NI is the leading provider of nationally accredited Advice and Guidance, Legal...
It can be difficult to manage all the different bills and payments in our lives. The...
The GamCare Forum is an online message board, providing a safe and secure space for users...
We are the leading provider of nationally accredited Advice and Guidance, Legal Advice...
We provide a range of support for people struggling with the impact of gambling on their...
Our free Budget Planner puts you in control of your household spending and analyses your...
If you’re struggling with debt, it can be hard to know where to turn. But with lots of free advice services available across the UK, you can find help in a way that’s best for you.
Use this calculator to see how much a loan will cost you or how quickly you can pay off...