£150 council tax reduction for ‘low income’ households announced by Northampton Borough Council

The authority’s decision forms part of its response to the coronavirus outbreak, and more than 8,400 working-age residents who are already eligible for the council tax reduction scheme will automatically receive the additional discount on their 2020/21 bills, removing the need to apply for it.

The reduction will be granted to those families or single people with low income. Eligibility can depend on certain criteria including household incomes, the number of children, benefits and residency status.

It does not impact however on pensioners who are on low income, as the council says they have already received the maximum amount of relief they could qualify for under the current council tax reduction scheme.

Councillor Brandon Eldred, the borough council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “We will continue to do everything in our power to reduce the impact of this global pandemic on everyone who lives and works in Northampton.

“This funding will help us ease money worries for some of our most vulnerable households as we all work together to combat the spread of this disease. We know that there are lots of people already feeling the impact of this pandemic and we want Northampton residents to know we are there for them.

“We have put a number of measures in place and will keep monitoring the situation and look for any other ways we can help those of us in need.

“At this crucial time, it’s very important to remind our residents who can pay their council tax to continue paying it as normal, as it supports important services provided by all precepting authorities in the area, including Northamptonshire County Council, the Northamptonshire Police and Fire & Rescue authorities and local parish councils.”

The council tax discounts will be made from the borough’s allocation of the coronavirus hardship fund, which was announced by the Government in its spring budget. Further funds will be used to support those in most hardship via a discretionary hardship scheme aimed at residents in need of urgent financial support.

Residents who are not already claiming council tax reduction and need help with their council tax bill can make a claim at www.northampton.gov.uk/makeaclaimforcounciltaxreduction/