As a result of the income shocks brought on by the pandemic more people are now in need of council tax support, yet many who are eligible aren’t claiming and debt is rising.
Evidence shows that people claiming Universal Credit for the first time are starting benefits with higher debt. This reflects both the time taken to navigate the benefit system and delay in application.
For councils, council tax support caseloads have gone up and, because more people are on Universal Credit which can fluctuate from month to month, administration costs have too.
More income shocks are on the way as furlough, the £20 uplift to Universal Credit and other Covid-related supports are withdrawn. Extra temporary funding is available this year but who should councils target this funding to, and how can they design a council tax support scheme that is flexible enough to deal with changing caseloads and funding?
Listen back to hear about:
- Covid changes on Council tax support: changing caseloads and costs
- Autumn of income shocks
- How Haringey Council is responding to change
- Emerging trends for council tax support schemes
- What to consider when designing yours
With guest speaker David Graaff, Head of Service Delivery at Haringey Council.
View the webinar
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