Schemes to help Uttlesford residents with council tax bills

Uttlesford District Council has launched the Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme, which gives an 87 per cent discount for residents on low incomes.

In addition, the Cost-of-Living Support Fund is available to help residents with their council tax bill, potentially freeing up funds for other priority payments and outgoing costs.

Cllr Neil Hargreaves, Uttlesford District Council's portfolio holder for finance, said: "We are aware that the increased costs of daily life are affecting many residents, particularly in the winter months.

Cllr Neil Hargreaves, portfolio holder for finance at Uttlesford District Council (Image: Uttlesford District Council) "We know from the LCTS consultation that some residents in need still don’t qualify for LCTS and that is why we are keeping this additional fund available to support those who are struggling financially in the short-term with their council tax payments."

To qualify for help from the scheme, residents must be liable for the council tax bill and occupy a property within the district as their main home.

To see if you would qualify for Local Council Tax Support, use the online benefits calculator on the council website at www.uttlesford.gov.uk/benefit-calculators.

Claims for LCTS can be made at www.uttlesford.gov.uk/lcts.

You will need to provide evidence to support your application. These must be original documents rather than copies, and could be evidence of savings, investments or property, evidence of earnings, or evidence of benefits, allowances, tax credits, pension credits or pensions.

Full details of the Cost of Living Support Fund and a short online application form can be found at https://www.uttlesford.gov.Heruk/cost-of-living-support-fund.

Residents who need assistance in completing the form can contact the council on 01799 510510 to arrange an appointment.

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Applications will be considered on the basis that the applicant or household would suffer financial hardship if assistance was not given.

Supporting evidence is required along with the application. This includes a completed means enquiry form, the last two months' bank statements for all accounts you hold or have access to, and a recent utility bill clearly showing your name and address.

The deadline for applications is March 31, 2025.