Coronavirus Financial Support for Residents
If you’re struggling to pay your council tax bill, please call us on 01543 46 4285 or email counciltax@cannockchasedc.gov.uk .
We can discuss payment arrangements and support that may be available to you.
If you’re struggling financially and not on benefits already, you may be eligible to apply for both of the following:
1. Council Tax Support: this is a type of benefit that reduces the amount of council tax you need to pay. The discount you’re entitled to is worked out by comparing your income and your family circumstances with the table below.
If you are in employment the income figures below can increase by up to £70 per week.
If your household includes children under 5 or severely disabled people, your entitlement will usually increase by a further 20% of you bill, up to your full council tax bill.
Single person | Single person with one child | Single person with two or more children | Couple | Couple with one child | Couple with two or more children | ||||||
Income up to | Disc. | Income up to | Disc. | Income up to | Disc. | Income up to | Disc. | Income up to | Disc. | Income up to | Disc. |
£75.00 | 80% | £159.00 | 80% | £226.00 | 80% | £117.00 | 80% | £201.00 | 80% | £268.00 | 80% |
£105.00 | 60% | £189.00 | 60% | £256.00 | 60% | £147.00 | 60% | £231.00 | 60% | £298.00 | 60% |
£135.00 | 40% | £219.00 | 40% | £286.00 | 40% | £177.00 | 40% | £261.00 | 40% | £328.00 | 40% |
£165.00 | 20% | £249.00 | 20% | £316.00 | 20% | £207.00 | 20% | £291.00 | 20% | £358.00 | 20% |
Over £165.00 | 0 | Over £249.00 | 0 | Over £316.00 | 0 | Over £207.0 | 0 | Over £291.00 | 0 | Over £358.00 | 0 |
2. Universal Credit: if you’re not claiming benefits at the moment and you’re now unable to work or your income has dropped, as long as you fit the criteria, you can apply for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) manages this so you will need to call them on 0800 328 5644 or go to gov.uk to apply. You do not need to go to the job centre and you can receive an advance payment from DWP
If you’re on benefits already but your income has stopped or reduced
If you’re on Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, it’s really important that you tell both us and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) about any changes to your income so that we can adjust the amount you’re entitled to.
If your income has dropped, as long as you fit the criteria, you can apply for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) manages this so you will need to call them on 0800 328 5644 or go to gov.uk to apply. You do not need to go to the job centre and you can receive an advance payment from DWP
In addition, if you have claimed Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or Local Council Tax Support, you can apply to the Council for a Discretionary Payment which can provide additional short term help with the payment of both Rent and Council Tax.
To tell us about a change in your circumstances or to apply for a Discretionary Payment please visit our website at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/benefitforms
Further information about the scheme can be found here https://www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/residents/benefits
If you think you’re eligible and want to apply you can do this by visiting our website at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/benefitforms
For further advice on the council’s benefit schemes call 01543-464292
For advice about debt or money management call CAB on 03444 111 444
