Thousands asking for relief from council tax
THOUSANDS of people across the North East have asked their councils for help with council tax during the coronavirus lockdown.
Councils across the region have reported a spike in requests for council tax assistance since lockdown started.
While North Tyneside Council and Northumberland Council say they can’t prove the increase is down to coronavirus others say the crisis has directly contributed to residents’ financial problems.
Here, we look at what’s happening with individual authorities:
NEWCASTLE
Hundreds of households in Newcastle have had to get help with their council tax as a direct result of the coronavirus outbreak, the authority has said.
A spokesman for Newcastle City Council said: “As a direct result of the impacts of the virus, a further 1,356 households have been granted council tax reductions worth more than £700,000.
“Our staff are working hard to process a further 3,356 claims while we have agreed alternative arrangements with 394 council tax payers to defer or spread their payments.”
Tenants who rent their homes through Your Homes Newcastle can also get assistance, with more than 900 asking for help so far. He continued: “We would urge anyone who is struggling to let us know as soon as possible so we can work towards a positive outcome.”
NORTH TYNESIDE
Claims for housing benefit and council tax support in North Tyneside have doubled since last year. A spokesman from the council said in March and April 2019 there were 799 new claims for housing benefit and council tax support; this year’s figure for March and April was 1,649. But the authority has said it can’t say if this is down to the coronavirus outbreak as “that’s not how the information is recorded”.
SOUTH TYNESIDE
Meanwhile, in South Tyneside more than 1,000 households have been supported by their coronavirus hardship scheme.
A spokesperson for the council said: “All working age residents in receipt of council tax support will receive up to £150 reduction in their council tax for 2020/21 which is estimated to benefit 11,500 households.
“The council has also launched a Hardship Scheme to provide emergency financial support. This has benefited over 1,000 households. Many tenants have also been contacted by South Tyneside Homes to pro-actively assist around any challenges in their rent.”
NORTHUMBERLAND
Northumberland County Council has given council tax help to a further 1,179 people since lockdown was introduced, taking the total receiving it in Northumberland to 17,069. A further 359 claims are waiting to be assessed.
But the authority has emphasised it “can’t definitively state” the increase is entirely related to Covid-19.
DURHAM
In County Durham more than 8,000 residents have received additional financial support from the council’s hardship fund.
Paul Darby, head of finance and transactional services at Durham County Council, said: “We are one of only a small number of councils in the country to already provide council tax discounts of up to 100% for eligible residents, with around 78% of claimants not paying any.
“Following the coronavirus pandemic, we have introduced a hardship scheme which tops up the discount by up to £300. Nearly 8,300 residents have benefited from this, receiving an additional £2.2m of support. Debt recovery has been postponed for anyone falling into arrears with their council tax and an additional £1m has been invested in our Welfare Assistance Scheme which provides short-term support.
“Our Housing Solutions team is also offering support and advice to anyone struggling to pay their rent or mortgage at this difficult time.”