Thousands of claimants are failing to claim financial help with Council Tax, especially those moving onto Universal Credit, local authority contacts have revealed to Quids in!

In 2016, Citizens Advice reported a huge surge in people dealing with aggressive bailiffs demanding payment of Council Tax arrears. Yet help provided by local councils is going unclaimed.

People on low incomes could qualify for a reduction in Council Tax of up to 85 per cent for working age people and 100 per cent for older people.

Each council has a different scheme so people should check to see what is offered in their area at counciltaxhelp.net – enter your postcode and go straight to the relevant information.

This support is different to other reductions in Council Tax that apply nationwide, for example if you live alone or with no other adults, if you’re a student or are disabled. See the government’s guidelines here.

See Citizens Advice guide to Council Tax here.