Struggling families may get cash back for extortionate council tax bills

Sefton Council have been awarded a government grant to help residents who may be struggling to pay their Council Tax during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sefton will receive a grant of £3.037m as part of £500m available nationally from the government’s emergency Council Tax Hardship Fund.

Any residents who are of working age, and have had their bill reduced by an award of Council Tax Reduction, will be eligible for relief of at least £150 from the fund.

The local authority will make a decision on a case by case basis for any relief above £150, taking into account the funding available.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “This relief will reduce Council Tax bills for eligible claimants for the financial year of 2020/2021.

“Any eligible council tax bills will be re-issued once the relief has been applied.

“Any balance remaining from the £3m will be added to the Council’s Council Tax Exceptional Hardship Payment Fund.