Home   News   Article

Help for Highland council tax payers who have lost their jobs or are experiencing a drop in income during coronavirus pandemic


By Ian Duncan

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Highland Council is offering advice to people struggling to pay council tax bills.
Highland Council is offering advice to people struggling to pay council tax bills.

Council tax payers in the Highlands who have lost their jobs or are experiencing a drop in their income are being encouraged to apply as quickly as possible for a reduction in their council tax.

This help, known as the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, is available for lower income households, including home owners.

The person named on the council tax bill can apply online. Applicants supply their details only once and the council will automatically award a range of council-administered benefits the applicant is entitled to receive.

Council tax payers who live alone are also prompted to apply for a 25 per cent single person discount using the apply-once form which is available on the council's website here.

Council tax payers who are experiencing a reduction in their income and can make reduced payments to their council tax payment are encouraged to pay as much as they can, when they can, to minimise the amount of council tax they will eventually have to pay.

There is no need to contact the council if you are unable to make payments or will be making reduced payments to your council tax accounts, as the council has suspended all action to recover unpaid sums.

Council tax payers whose income has not been impacted by coronavirus, or who can still afford to pay their council tax bill, should continue to pay the full amount due each month.

The council will continue to collect Direct Debit payments and payments can still be made in several other ways, including online via the council's automated payment line on 01349 886605 and by bank credit transfer.

Help, advice and support to complete application forms for all benefits and entitlements, including ways to reduce council tax, are available from the council's welfare team by emailing welfare.support@highland.gov.uk

More news


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More