Government Launches Guidance for £500 million Hardship Fund

Government Launches Guidance for £500 million Hardship Fund

Government has launched a £500 million Hardship Fund to provide council tax relief to help those affected most by coronavirus.

Guidance for the £500 million Hardship Fund has been released today (24 March) giving local authorities clarity on how to allocate the funding following its announcement at Budget.

The funding will go to local authorities in England to enable them to reduce the 2020 to 2021 council tax bills of working age people receiving Local Council Tax Support.

Councils will also be able to use the funding to provide further discretionary support to vulnerable people through other support arrangements such as Local Welfare Schemes.

Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP has confirmed the fund will provide council tax relief to vulnerable people and households to help those affected most by coronavirus.

Jenrick said:

“Providing the necessary financial support to people and families is critical at this difficult time when many people will be concerned about changes to their income.

“That’s why we’re giving local councils an additional £500 million, to ensure help is available for the most vulnerable people in our society who are struggling to pay their council tax bills.

The guidance can be found on GOV.UK’s website.