The bills you shouldn’t ignore

Missing the odd payment now and again, you may think everyone falls behind sometimes and what’s so important about Council Tax? Well, the answer is the consequences and the speed at how quickly and how severe the consequences can be if simply ignored. Falling behind on Council Tax is a problem. If Council Tax isn’t paid on time it carries harsher debt collection consequences compared to other types of debt such as credit cards or loans.

Thankfully there is another way, a better option than worrying about paying your Council Tax bill, or how you can catch up if you are already behind. Get in touch with your local CAB. Councils may just be following legal processes, but for over a decade now Council Tax has been the most common type of debt dealt with by CABs across Scotland.

Recently the local CAB helped a retired single pensioner whose monthly essentials exceeded his income by almost £300. The Client was falling deeper and deeper into debt, thankfully he turned to Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau.

This Client was in arrears with his council tax and his rent. Turning to the local CAB for help, the Advisers managed to stop legal proceedings for recovery of Council Tax; carry out a benefits check which showed that he was entitled to Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction. With recovery action put on hold, the local CAB worked with the Council to arrange an affordable repayment plan to repay Council Tax, water and sewage charges.

His entitlement to Housing Benefit meant he would have a higher income to cover his rent and with the support of his landlord, an affordable repayment plan was agreed.

Having serious health

Food, energy, telecoms and broadband, prices endlessly only going in one direction – upwards! Then there’s the credit card bills, loan repayments, catalogues – payments that used to feel affordable, but not any longer.

The juggle, what to pay first, how to stretch the budget until payday, or when benefits or pension gets paid, and even then, money just doesn’t go far enough. Month after month, running out of money is an all too familiar feeling. What bills to pay; it’s a dilemma which keeps people awake at night. It’s stressful and sometimes missing a payment feels like the only option. According to Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau, missing a payment could be avoided by checking what help is available using

or, by getting in touch with the local CAB for help. problems, the local CAB also supported the Client with his application for Attendance Allowance, a non-contributory Social Security benefit paid to elderly disabled people currently worth between £68.10 and £101.75 per week.

This Client hadn’t been aware that he was entitled to Pension Credit or Housing Benefit, nor

that successful awards can be backdated. The local CAB helped with these applications and based on the entitlement to Pension Credit, advised the client on Ofcom Social Tariffs for home and mobile Broadband. This resulted in a further monthly saving of approximately £50 per month.

All together the local CAB secured many thousands of pounds worth of help for this elderly Client. Jen Broadhurst, local CAB manager commented:

“This client’s case is just one example of how Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice really helps local people facing the most difficult of circumstances. This Client was in debt, his income couldn’t stretch to the essentials. There is no doubt about it, the CAB Advisers provided life changing advice and support.

Every day Advisers speak to people in debt. The cost of living crisis has placed a huge stress on household budgets and many people are at breaking point. Approaching the CAB for help, you’re not alone, more and more people need our help.

Here at the CAB, we know that taking that first step and accessing help can be hard, but putting off getting help or ignoring bills will only make matters worse.

If you are worrying about how you are going to pay your Council Tax, rent, energy bill or even just afford Broadband, don’t just juggle your finances, get in touch. CAB Advisers don’t judge, just help”.

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And with the new financial year just around the corner, 6th April, it brings change to household budgets. Many people don’t think there is any help, but NOW is the time to check if help is available. Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau is encouraging everyone to make the time and check their household budget using

to help find sources of online support to:

The local CAB is here for anyone living in Argyll and Bute; advice is free, impartial and completely confidential.