Pendle News Room

The Government’s Hardship Fund gives extra help to working age residents who receive Council Tax Support and need help to pay their council tax.

This means that eligible residents will either have no council tax to pay or will have £150 less to pay this year (2020-21).

“If you qualify for help from the Hardship Fund, you don't need to do anything.

“It will automatically be applied to your account and you will get an updated bill,” explained Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council.”

Pendle Council received £1.03m from the Government to support individuals who are struggling to pay their council tax.

So far it has spent almost £725,000 supporting those who already receive Council Tax Support.

The remainder will be used to provide support to working age residents who have been financially affected by the coronavirus outbreak and who newly apply to receive Council Tax Support this year.

Councillor Iqbal added: “So many people have been affected by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic so this is a financial lifeline for many.

“Staff have been working extremely hard to ensure that council tax bills are amended as quickly as possible to ease any financial hardship.”

Council tax payers who already receive full Council Tax Support in 2020-21 will not qualify for any further support from the Hardship Fund in line with Government criteria.

Pendle Community Support Hub is available to the borough’s most vulnerable residents who don’t have a network of friends or family nearby to help.

It can support residents with:

• advice on where to get food
• help with shopping
• support for mental health issues
• dog walking
• collecting prescriptions
• dealing with social isolation and loneliness
• financial and debt advice

If you, or a vulnerable person you know, needs help, you can email helpneeded@pendle.gov.uk or call 01282 661743 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 3pm Saturday and Sunday.