New schemes have been introduced to help residents struggling to pay their council tax as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The schemes form part of Croydon Council’s £4.4m package of council tax support for residents experiencing financial difficulty, because of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
The council tax hardship fund, will give residents that are of working age and receiving council tax support, a further reduction of up to £150 from their council tax bill during 2020/21. Residents entitled to this reduction do not need to apply for it and will be sent an updated council tax bill in the coming weeks.
Those on a low income or residents that claim benefits may also be eligible for council tax support and can apply for this through our online form. This will include people who have not been entitled in the past, but whose income is reduced because of COVID-19, such as furloughed employees, those on zero-hours contracts and the self-employed.
Residents who are experiencing financial challenges in the wake of the crisis have the opportunity to defer payment of their council tax for up to two months from April and May 2020. This will mean that residents will pay their council tax over ten instalments from June 2020 to March 2021.
Croydon residents wishing to apply for deferred payments need to complete this form on the council website, and will receive a response as quickly as possible.
Councillor Simon Hall, cabinet member for finance and resources
“We recognise that this is a very challenging time for everyone and that some of Croydon’s residents may need some additional support in the coming weeks.
“With so many people’s financial circumstances affected by coronavirus, our residents can be reassured that as a council we are doing all we can to support them and we will constantly be looking at whether we can do more.
“But, as council tax funds the essential frontline services we deliver, which are continuing to operate as this difficult time, we would ask those residents that can continue paying their council tax instalments to do so.”
For more information on the support available to help pay your council tax click here.
