Hardship Payments
Are you struggling to pay your Council Tax and in receipt of Council Tax Support?
You may be able to apply for a Council Tax Support Hardship payments.
Hardship Payments are a top-up to Council Tax Support and are available if we consider that someone needs extra help with their Council Tax costs. They are not payments of Council Tax Support but are discretionary and funded by the council.
If you are experiencing exceptional financial hardship, then you may be able to claim some assistance with your Council Tax. However Hardship Payments are only available as short-term assistance, not a long-term solution.
We have a limited budget to spend on these payments, so require an application form to help us decide if a payment can be made to you.
This is not a cash payment, but a credit to your Council Tax account.
What can Hardship Payments cover?
- A shortfall between amount of Council Tax Support awarded and your Council Tax liability
What Hardship Payments cannot cover?
- to reduce any Council Tax Support recoverable overpayment
- where an authorised officer from North Warwickshire Borough Council considers there are unnecessary expenses
- if the means tested assessment shows that there is no financial hardship
- to cover a shortfall caused by a Department for Work and Pensions sanction or suspension which has been applied because the Council Taxpayer has turned down work, interview or training opportunities
- Shortfalls for Council Tax liabilities outside of North Warwickshire Borough Council
Who Can apply for Hardship Payment?
To be eligible for a Hardship Payment you must be in receipt of Council Tax Support with North Warwickshire Bourgh Council and satisfy us that you require further help with your Council Tax costs by providing details of your income and expenditure and proofs as necessary.
You cannot apply if you do not receive Council Tax Support with North Warwickshire Bourgh Council.
How can I apply for Hardship Payment?
We may ask you to provide evidence to verify your situation which could include asking for evidence of your income and expenses. Your claim will not be processed until the evidence requested is provided in full.
Funds for Hardship Payments are limited, so not all applications will be successful.
If the application is from someone acting on your behalf, please make this clear on the form.