Millions of people to get £150 off council tax bill because of coronavirus

A lot of people in the UK will be able to get some cash off their council tax bill this year.

Millions of bills are set to be slashed by £150 because of the coronavirus crisis, with ministers revealing today that a support fund is being set up.

According to the Government, anyone of working age who gets Council Tax Support will be able to get financial aid, with a £500 million Hardship Fund put in place to cover this.

David Dixon / Geograph

Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “Providing the necessary financial support to people and families is critical at this difficult time when many people will be concerned about changes to their income.

“That’s why we’re giving local councils an additional £500 million, to ensure help is available for the most vulnerable people in our society who are struggling to pay their council tax bills. The government is on your side and will do whatever takes to help.”

Bill Boaden / Geograph

The money will be delivered to councils, with Government expecting them to use this to reduce the bills of everyone who is eligible – new bills will be issued in the coming weeks.

Anyone eligible who has a bill less than £150 won’t pay any council tax at all, with councils also using funding to support local schemes for vulnerable people.

On top of that, councils will get a further £1.6 billion in funding to help them deal with the coronavirus crisis – including further assistance for the most vulnerable.