Benefits and Council Tax advice

Benefits

Most working-age residents will need to claim Universal Credit if they are on a low income or are no longer working in order to get help with their rent.

• You will also need to apply for Local Council Tax Support in addition to claiming Universal Credit.
• If you are already in receipt of Local Council Tax Support you can also claim Exceptional Hardship Payment.
• If you receive Housing Benefit or the Housing element of Universal Credit you can claim Discretionary Hardship payment.

The Government announced they are to implement a £500m hardship fund to reduce the 2021 Council Tax bill for working Age people who receive Local Council Tax Support. No other details are yet known but we will update this page when they are.

We are waiting for further Government announcements detailing further support that may be available. We will detail the information here when more details are known.

• Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses

Council Tax

If you are unable to pay your Council Tax because you are not able to go into work due to the coronavirus.

• Recovery of Council Tax has been halted for 3 months, the balance will still be due and needs to be paid later. This is essentially a payment holiday for this difficult period. Please pay as much as you can in the interim.
• If you have a low income you can apply for Local Council Tax Support.
• If you are experiencing financial difficulties ie. job loss, reduced income, redundancy, etc. You may need to make an application for Universal Credit.
• You can check if you are getting the relevant discounts or exemptions you may be entitled to on our Council Tax pages.

If you are worried about paying your Council Tax contact our Revenues and Benefits Team:

• Email counciltax@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
• Call 01992 564188

£500m hardship fund

The Government announced that they are to implement a £500m hardship fund to reduce the 2021 Council Tax bill for working age people who receive Local Council Tax Support. No other details are yet known but we will update this page when they are.

• Government confirms £500 million hardship fund will provide council tax relief for vulnerable households

Universal Credit

Most working-age residents will need to claim Universal Credit if they are on a low income or are no longer working in order to get help with their rent.

You will also need to be aware that you will need to apply for Local Council Tax Support in addition to claiming Universal Credit.