Having difficulty paying your Council Tax?
If your income has been affected by the Coronavirus outbreak
If you are unable to pay your Council Tax, there are several options:
- If your savings are below £6,000 (£16,000 for pensioners) you may be entitled to Council Tax Support. To estimate your entitlement you can use our online benefit calculator
- If you do qualify for help towards paying your Council Tax, you can make a claim online
- If you are still struggling to make payments during this time you can make an application for an exceptional hardship award. You need to qualify for Council Tax Support to make a claim for this.
- If your savings are above £6,000 or you don’t qualify for Council Tax Support, but your income has dropped or you are experiencing cash flow problems, you can contact us and we can spread them over 12 months rather than the usual 10 months. To discuss your Council Tax instalments please contact us on 01843 577558
- If you need to send us any documents including proof for your claim, please use our online proof form to do this
- You can also check if you could get a discount or exemption on your Council Tax.
Make a payment arrangement
If you owe Council Tax you can request a special payment arrangement to clear the amount you owe.
Further financial support and guidance
If you are struggling to pay your bills please see below for further guidance on financial support and advice and utilities.
| Benefits, jobs & debt (also see Utilities) | |
|---|---|
| Citizens Advice Bureau
General financial advice and support |
Help to Claim Universal Credit helpline – 0800 144 8444 Choose option 1 for specialist advice on redundancy |
| Thanet Citizens Advice Bureau
Help for Thanet residents |
General enquiries – 01843 228643
Money Advice Service – 01843 597011 Universal Credit Help to Claim – 01843 229696 Lines are open Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm calls after this time will not be answered |
| Family Lives
Charity supporting vulnerable and lower-income families |
Freephone – 808 800 2222
Email – askus@familylives.org.uk |
| Shaw Trust Employment Service & Porchlight Work4Wellbeing
(Formally JET IPS Employment) |
Freephone – 0800 567 7699
Email – info@livewellkent.org.uk |
| Department of Work & Pensions | Specific Covid 19 related advice for employers |
| Job Centre (DWP) | For DWP advice – 01304 866190 |
| Money Advice Service
For advice regarding finances and debt |
0300 500 5000 |
| National Debt Line
Coronavirus hub for money worries |
0808 808 4000 |
| Step change
Free debt advice online or over the phone |
0800 138 1111 |
| Christians Against Poverty
Debt help |
0800 3280006 |
|
Utilities, Council tax & DDC Services |
|
|---|---|
| Utilities – Gas & Electricity
For information about gas and electricity during current situation. |
covid 19 your energy supply |
| British Gas Energy Trust
For advice and help with utility debts |
www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/
01733 421021 |
| Scottish Power
Hardship fund for customers having difficulties paying their bills due to low income or other circumstances |
National Debtline – 0808 169 8780
Lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm www.SEDhardship.fund – 0808 800 0128 Lines open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm. |
| Ovo hardship grants | Help for OVO Energy customers to clear/pay off any debt on their OVO Energy account. Applicants must have run up a debt on their gas or electricity account of at least £150, have an annual household income of £16,190 or less and have a valid reason affecting your ability to pay. Online access only. |
| E.on | For existing or previous E.on customers to help with bills or household items. Priority will be given to those who have already received debt advice.
03303 80 10 90 – . Mon-Fri 9-5pm |
| Npower energy fund
For current domestic customers. |
01733 421 021 |
| Pre-pay meters
For those on electricity or gas pre-pay meters for remote top-ups |
0330 100 0303 |
| Southern Water
For information about water supply during current situation. |
Emergencies only – please telephone us on 0330 303 0368 |
| Southeast Water Priority Services Register (for customers of utility companies including Affinity and Southern Water) | For help in a utility emergency Sign up for free For those with chronic illness, have medical support at home, refrigerated medication, dementia, a disability, pensionable age, children under 5, suffering a bereavement. |