Additional help for residents claiming council tax support
Working Age people claiming council tax support in Swindon are eligible for a further one-off grant following additional funding from the Government.
Published: Friday, 5th June 2020
Swindon Borough Council has been allocated just over £1.3m in funding from the Government to help working age council tax claimants who are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government has asked councils to grant each council tax support working age claimant an additional one off payment of £150 council tax support or pay off their outstanding council tax balance if their council tax is less than £150. This will be applied to council tax accounts automatically and revised bills should be received in the middle of June.
Due to more people experiencing financial hardship during the current period, the number of people claiming council tax support has increased with the Council receiving an additional 1,300 claims between April and May 2020.
The latest support for people facing financial hardship is the latest in a series of measures from the Council to help residents and businesses during the coronavirus crisis.
The #HereForSwindon package of support includes providing free parking for NHS staff and volunteers, free childcare for key workers and extending bus passes for older and disabled people.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the ‘Swindon Emergency Assistance Fund’ has also been used to provide food and essentials to people who could not make payments and are being ‘shielded’.
Councillor Russell Holland, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Cabinet Member responsible for Finance, said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for everyone and the Council is doing everything it can to help.
“This latest funding from the Government is very welcome. More than 3,300 people in Swindon are already receiving 100 per cent council tax support, but we know there are likely to be many more residents who may be entitled to this one-off funding.
“If you are currently in financial hardship and believe you may be entitled to council tax support please get in touch and our officers will be only too happy to help.”
Further information about the Council’s #HereForSwindon package of support can be found at swindon.gov.uk/HereForSwindon.