Fylde Council has established a discretionary hardship scheme in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme can reduce the Council Tax liability for anyone who has started self-employment after April 5th 2019 and is NOT already in receipt of the Council Tax Reduction benefit or other Government assistance schemes in response to Coronavirus.

If you fall within this category, then you may be eligible for a reduction on your Council Tax up to a maximum of two months, equivalent to £325.  Applications can be made online from 1st May to 5th June and will be discounted from your council tax bill after that date. A fund of £23,000 is set aside for this scheme and applications made up to a Council Tax band D only can be considered. Please note that this fund is capped at earnings of £2500 per month.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Acting Council Leader, said:

“The Government have provided much-needed grant funding for businesses, employees and the self-employed to help protect jobs and livelihoods through the pandemic and this is to be welcomed.  We are acutely aware that those who started self-employment in the last year do not qualify for the national scheme and yet they too are facing hardship during this crisis.  At Fylde Council we wanted to devise a scheme to recognise these particular workers and provide a discount on their Council tax bill using the extra funding provided to all local authorities.  I hope they will come forward and make use of the fund.”

Applications are now open. Visit here for further information and to complete the form.  The Finance team will contact you if any supporting documents are required and discounts will be applied on close of applications after 5th June.