Please see below for the latest advice and information for residents during the coronavirus outbreak.
Updates are being issued regularly, so please do check back.
This page was last updated on 8 April 2020
Almost 1,648 people of working age who get Council Tax Reduction in West Devon will get up to an extra £150 discount off their bill for 2020/21. Those already on Council Tax Reduction will automatically get the discount and will receive a revised bill as soon as we can. New Council Tax Reduction customers will also get the discount over the months, whilst funds are still available.Extra Discount for Council Tax Reduction Residents
If your income has reduced as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, and you are concerned about your Council Tax, we may be able to help.
Anyone on a low income can apply to our Council Tax Reduction scheme.
Council Tax Reduction - Apply Now
If you are already receiving council tax reduction, you can apply to our Emergency Hardship fund.
Emergency Hardship Fund - Apply Now
Full information in regards to the funding available has not yet been released by the Government and we will advise accordingly when it is. However, if you are struggling, don't delay in making an application.
We know that our residents are upset and worried, and we will do everything we can to support you during this difficult time.
The Citizens Advice website has lots of information and advice.
There are things you can do if you are struggling to pay bills like your rent, mortgage or energy bills because of coronavirus. Speak to the organisation that you owe money to. They might be able to help you by letting you pay smaller amounts or take a payment holiday. It is also worth checking with your bank or building society - they might be able to help you with your debts or let you delay loan or credit card repayments or have a payment holiday.
If you are not working because of coronavirus, you might be able to claim benefits (the scheme is called Universal Credit) if you've lost your job or you're self employed and can't get work. What you can claim will depend on your situation.
Universal Credit is claimed online with the DWP and help with Council Tax is available from Council Tax Reduction and also an Exceptional Hardship Scheme.If you already receive help towards your housing costs and require further assistance you can make an application to our Discretionary Housing Payment Fund.
You can find links to these below:
Council Tax Reduction - Apply Now Universal Credit - Apply Now
If you are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, and you need to help towards rental costs on the property you live in, then you need to make an application for Universal Credit.
You must not claim Housing Benefit unless you fall into one of the following categories:
If you already receive Housing Benefit and need further help, please see Extrta Financial Help to make an application for Discretionary Housing Payments.
If you have a query about benefit claims - new and existing - in relation to coronavirus, please use the button below:
Find out about Universal Credit
If you are self-employed and claiming Universal Credit and are required to stay at home or are ill as a result of coronavirus, the Minimum Income Floor (an assumed level of income) will not be applied for a period of time whilst you are affected. From 6 April the requirements of the Minimum Income Floor will be temporarily relaxed. This change will apply to all Universal Credit claimants and will last for the duration of the outbreak.
Full information in regards to the funding available has not yet been released by the Government and we will advise accordingly when it is. However, if you are struggling, don't delay in making an application.
If you are self employed and struggling during the coronavirus outbreak, the Government has announced a new support package for you.
You can claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 for the next three months.
You can apply if you're a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and you:
Your self-employed trading profits must also be less than £50,000 and more than half of your income come from self-employment. This is determined by at least one of the following conditions being true:
If you started trading between 2016-19, HMRC will only use those years for which you filed a Self-Assessment tax return.
Please click the button below for information about Waste and Recycling during the coronavirus outbreak.
If you are worried about a business that has remained open, or is not taking necessary measures to protect its staff, please use the button below to let us know about it.
You can use the same form for advice and information about business closures.
