Support for people struggling financially due to the Coronavirus pandemic
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are putting a range of measures in place to help people who are being affected financially by the Coronavirus pandemic, including support for individuals and for businesses.
Support for individuals - council tax
Hardship fund for people on Council Tax Reduction
The government has confirmed details of a £500million hardship fund. Under this scheme, people in receipt of Council Tax Reduction will receive a minimum of £150 off their council tax bill for 2020/2021, unless their bill is less than £150, in which case their bill will be reduced to zero. This is in addition to any support they already receive.
The councils are now working to confirm the amount each individual qualifying household will receive off their bill – as soon as this is complete, revised bills will be issued.
Council tax payments
Where possible, people should continue to pay their bills as normal. If someone is genuinely having difficulty paying their council tax, they should contact our council tax team on:
- South residents - sodc.counciltax@secure.capita.co.uk / 0345 302 2313
- Vale residents - vowh.counciltax@secure.capita.co.uk / 0345 302 2315
People who are currently not being paid, and are struggling to pay their bill, are encouraged to apply for Council Tax Reduction – their account will then be put on hold for 30 days while their application is processed.
To apply for Council Tax Reduction please visit southoxon.gov.uk/ctrs or whitehorsedc.gov.uk/ctrs
For more information about support and advice for individuals please visit southoxon.gov.uk/covid19 or whitehorsedc.gov.uk/covid19
Cllr Andy Crawford, Cabinet Member for Finance at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "We are working hard to put measures into place to provide urgent assistance to council tax-payers and businesses that have been badly affected by the pandemic. Thank you to everyone for their patience during this time. Following each announcement, we have to wait for government guidance and these schemes can take time to set up and check who is eligible."