Highland Council is urging council tax payers who have lost their jobs or are experiencing a drop in their income 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 using the Highland Council’s Apply Once form.
Applicants supply their details only once and the council will automatically award a range of council-administered benefits that the applicant is entitled to receive.
Council tax payers who live alone are also prompted to apply for a 25% single person discount using the Apply Once form which is available on the council’s website.
Those who are experiencing a reduction in their income and can make reduced payments towards their council tax 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.
The money the council collects from council tax is also being used to help support the council’s humanitarian response to the coronavirus and will then be used to support the local economy through delivery of essential services for families, children and businesses.
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 ways, including online, via our 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.