Extended support for those struggling to pay their council tax

South Oxfordshire District Council is to extend the support it is providing to help working age people who are struggling to pay their council tax as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In June the council provided up to £150 discount off 2020/21 council tax bills for residents on lower incomes who qualify for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

With Covid-19 continuing to impact many people financially, the council has now agreed to increase this support and will be providing an additional discount for these residents on top of the one they received last summer.

This means that those working age people who qualify for the means tested Council Tax Reduction Scheme will now receive up to a further £270 off for those in South Oxfordshire. The discount will be applied automatically, meaning that those entitled to the discount will receive a revised bill, but they will not have to apply or contact the council first.

The discount is being paid for by a government hardship fund which was announced last year.

The government hasn’t suspended council tax during the pandemic and so it still needs to be paid.  If you are struggling to pay your bill please visit southoxon.gov.uk/counciltax to find out about the support available or call 0345 302 2313.