Council Tax Support during Covid-19 crisis
Residents in St Albans District whose income has been adversely affected by the Covid-19 crisis may be entitled to Council Tax Support.
Council Tax Support claimants can obtain a significant reduction to their bills if they are struggling financially.
Anyone who has recently lost their job or suffered a sudden drop in wages should first of all apply for any state benefits they may be entitled to.
They should do this online at https://www.gov.uk/ or by contacting Jobcentre Plus on 0800 169 0350.
Benefits which may be available include Statutory Sick Pay, new-style Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit.
Universal Credit can also provide help with rent payments to private landlords, the Council or a Housing Association.
In addition, residents can then make an application to St Albans City and District Council for Council Tax Support at https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-tax
The Council’s scheme means residents who receive Universal Credit and are not working will not normally be expected to pay any Council Tax.
if you are not entitled to Council Tax Support, the Council may still be able to help by spreading or deferring payments.
On the Council’s website, there is a calculator that helps people work out what benefits they may be entitled to claim: https://stalbans.entitledto.co.uk/home/start.
It is expected that the Government may announce more measures to help people financially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Council will update information about benefits on its website on https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/benefits.
Councillor Karen Young, Portfolio Holder for Resources, said:
“Our advice to people whose income has taken a hit is to claim Council Tax Support without delay.
“They should make enquiries, too, with the Department for Work and Pensions about what other help they may be entitled to.
“This is a fast-moving national emergency and we can expect many more initiatives by Government in the days and weeks ahead to keep people afloat financially.
“We will be following all this very closely and will respond quickly and appropriately, keeping people updated on our website with any new benefit rules or entitlements.”
Councillor contact:
Councillor Karen Young, Portfolio Holder for Resources for St Albans City and District Council: cllr.k.young@stalbans.gov.uk, 07495 504570.
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City District Council: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.